Pakistan’s four-time gold medallist swimmer vanished in Budapest!

Faizan Akbar (22) is a talented young Pakistani swimmer who arrived in Budapest for the 19th FINA World Championships. However, shortly after he occupied his room, he vanished from the Hungarian capital. Akbar should have swum today in 50m and 100m men’s backstroke.

According to International The News, he went back in his hotel room after he had arrived to have some rest. Then he vanished from the scene. His roommate called him to have breakfast together, and he agreed but did not go down. Later he left the hotel and did not pick up his phone.

“Faizan was set to feature in 100m backstrokes which were scheduled to be held on June 19 but he missed it” – the media outlet wrote.

Read also: Hungary hosts FINA World Cup 2022 – Programme guide

After the Pakistan Swimming Federation learnt about his disappearance, they informed the Budapest embassy, local police and other relevant wings. However, they were not successful yet. Sources The News spoke with said that Faizan obtained a Schengen visa because of the competition. Therefore, it might happen that he entered some other European country. Anyway, even if authorities find the Pakistani swimmer, he will not be able to compete in the Commonwealth Games slated to be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8 because his parent department from Pakistan’s swimming squad dropped his name.

Interestingly, that is not the first time an athlete of that Pakistani secret department leaves that way.

Such an act they regard as disgraceful not only for the department but also for the country.

Sources told The News that Faizan’s father was called by the relevant secret department and looked quite relaxed. Faizan comes from a well-off family, The News writes. For example, his father keeps expensive horses. “Sources said that as per rules, Faizan toured Budapest after signing an undertaking, and his family will have to pay a penalty of 9,100 EUR” – the media outlet said.

Featured image: illustration