Pakistani footballer Meeran Piar Ali has gone missing in Norway, while the rest of the football team has returned home causing concern amongst the sport authorities.
In a statement, officials of the Pakistani football club said that Meeran Piar Ali was part of the Better Future Pakistan team participating in the Norway Cup. After playing the initial matches, he left the hotel and disappeared.
The statement added that the players and coaches who had travelled to Norway returned to Pakistan two days ago.
Meanwhile, Norwegian police said that the footballer left the team of his own free will. Investigations found no evidence that he had been forced to leave or abducted.
Pakistani football authorities are also coordinating with local embassies and clubs to ensure his safe return.
Last year another young football player from Lyari Amanullah Rauf Baloch had gone missing in Oslo during the Norway Cup — one of the world’s largest youth football tournaments.
He was representing the Muslim Hands team. Amanullah did not play in the matches and disappeared on the opening day.
Yesterday, a teenager boxer Qadratullah also apparently disappeared from the team hotel in Glasgow hours before the Pakistani side was to be flown back home.
Officials with the Pakistan boxing team went to Qadratullah’s room to make sure all athletes were set for the trip and they found that he was not there.
The boxer’s bag and gear were found in the room, but he was not seen after thorough searches prior to departure for the airport.
Pakistani boxer Qadratullah mysteriously disappears in Glasgow