Rice University issued an urgent alert on Monday morning after learning that one of its participants in the Genuine Cup had vanished overnight.
The missing individual, identified as Rabe'e Ata Juma'a Alqaq, is a Jordanian athlete who does not speak English and was last observed wearing a light‑blue T‑shirt and black pants.
Alqaq’s disappearance was noted just after breakfast on Monday, a full hour after he was seen around midnight on Sunday, prompting campus police to launch a search.
The Genuine Cup’s Growing Reach
The tournament, which began on Monday and will continue until Saturday, features more than 1,000 athletes from 51 different nations competing in a spirit of inclusion.
Organizers say the inaugural edition was held in Houston in 2024 and has since expanded to provide visibility and long‑term support networks for neurodiverse young adults.
Alqaq’s case highlights both the excitement and the vulnerabilities that accompany such a large, international gathering.
University police have urged anyone with information about Alqaq’s whereabouts to contact them directly, emphasizing the need for community assistance.