The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has taken urgent and serious notice of a troubling incident involving the disappearance of two Pakistani athletes during the World University Games 2025, currently being held in Germany. In response to what officials are calling a deeply embarrassing situation for the nation, the PSB has formed a high-level, three-member investigation committee to look into multiple irregularities, management failures, and the mysterious vanishing of the athletes.
Two Athletes Missing: A Matter of National Concern
According to sources, athletes Shazil Ahmed and Nadeem Ali have been reported missing from the Pakistani contingent and remain untraceable as of now. The disappearance has sent shockwaves across the Pakistani sports community and raised questions about the oversight, security protocols, and management of the national delegation.
The PSB’s newly constituted inquiry committee is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of how these athletes were selected and how they managed to go missing in a foreign country. The committee will examine whether due diligence was followed in player selection, and if proper travel and security protocols were enforced. Determining the exact timeline and circumstances of the athletes’ disappearance will be a top priority.
Committee Mandate and Scope
The three-member investigation committee has been given broad responsibilities to uncover the root causes behind these troubling developments. Their primary focus areas will include:
- Reviewing the selection process of players and officials via the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
- Evaluating the transparency and merit involved in forming the team.
- Investigating the failure of officials to maintain discipline and accountability.
- Finding out how two athletes disappeared, and who was responsible for ensuring their safety.
- Exploring irregularities in the management of other sports disciplines, especially concerning female athletes and judo players.
- Submitting a detailed report within 15 days to the relevant authorities.
The PSB has made it clear that any individual or organization found guilty of negligence or misconduct will face strict disciplinary action. This includes both HEC representatives and on-ground team officials who were responsible for the welfare and conduct of the players.
Shocking Irregularities Beyond the Disappearance
In addition to the missing athletes, a series of organizational lapses have come to light that have put Pakistan’s image at risk on the international sports stage. Reports indicate that several female athletes were disqualified from participating in the 4×400 relay race due to a lack of proper coaching and uniform coordination.
Sources also revealed that a judo player was forced to compete without a coach or proper uniform, highlighting a severe failure in logistical planning. These deficiencies are being linked to poor preparation, inadequate training camp management, and a general lack of professionalism by some members of the delegation.
Moreover, serious doubts have emerged regarding the competency of team official Samira Sattar, who is believed to have had limited knowledge of international competition rules. Questions are being raised about whether her oversight played a role in the disqualification of several female athletes.
Public Outcry and Institutional Pressure
The alarming developments have drawn widespread criticism on social media and within the national sports ecosystem. Athletes, coaches, and sports commentators have voiced their concerns, calling for a complete overhaul of how Pakistan prepares and manages its international sports delegations.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), which played a key role in selecting and approving the team, is also under intense scrutiny. Many are demanding transparency from the HEC regarding its criteria for team formation and its accountability measures for player welfare.
Call for Accountability and Reform
The events unfolding in Germany have once again highlighted the urgent need for structural reforms in Pakistan’s sports governance. Experts believe that this incident should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to improve the planning, monitoring, and funding mechanisms of national sports delegations—especially when participating in international events.
With a 15-day window to complete its findings, the PSB’s investigation committee has a critical task ahead. The nation expects swift action, transparency in the findings, and firm steps against those responsible—whether due to negligence, incompetence, or intentional misconduct.
The disappearance of two athletes, combined with shocking management failures during an international event like the World University Games 2025, paints a grim picture of Pakistan’s current sports administration. However, with decisive leadership and public demand for accountability, this crisis could become a turning point toward long-overdue reforms in Pakistan’s sports sector.
The sports community now waits anxiously for the committee’s report, hoping it will pave the way for a safer, more professional, and more competitive future for Pakistan on the world sports stage.
