When Pakistani swimmer Faizan Akbar, a four-time national champion, arrived in Hungary for the 19th FINA World Championships last week, he went missing suspiciously. After arriving in Budapest, the 22-year-old Gujar Khan-born swimmer checked into a hotel and then disappeared, according to trustworthy sources. Faizan belongs to a highly respectable department which he joined in 2017. His brother Zeeshan Akbar is also a swimmer in the same department whose name is not being released. Zeeshan was also part of Pakistan’s 4×200 meter freestyle relay squad which claimed bronze in the 2019 South Asian Games in Nepal. Read out complete details about Pakistani swimmer disappears in Hungary down below.
Pakistani swimmer disappears in Hungary
Faizan’s roommate had come downstairs for breakfast. He contacted Faizan and asked him to join him, according to a source familiar with the scenario. Faizan indicated he’d be there but didn’t show up. He had checked out of the hotel. Sources added that Faizan vanished from the scene after getting his necessary items and leaving his Pakistan shirt inside the hotel room. On June 19, Faizan was scheduled to compete in the 100-meter backstroke, however, he was unable to do so.
This reporter heard that when Faizan’s department was told about the event by Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) through a letter, it took every effort to contact Pakistan’s embassy in Hungary, the local police, and other relevant wings in order to find the swimmer. However, thus far no success has been obtained. Sources added that holding a Schengen visa, Faizan might have entered some other European country. Faizan’s name has been removed off Pakistan’s swimming team for the next Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which will take place from July 28 to August 8.
“Yes, he has been pulled from the Commonwealth Games squad,” a person privy to the development revealed. One of the department’s athletes took illegal steps 15 to 16 years ago, according to the information obtained. The PSF will be represented in the World Championship in Budapest by a team of four athletes. Swimmers Amaan Siddiqui, Jehanara Nabi, and Bismah Khan are showcasing their muscles in their respective competitions. July 3 will be the final day of the global event. Sources indicated that Faizan’s father was called by the relevant department. The father was said to be in a good mood.
