Pakistani Kabaddi player banned indefinitely for representing team India, waving tricolour
PTC News Desk: The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) has handed down an indefinite ban to international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput after it emerged that he had played for an Indian team at a private tournament held in Bahrain earlier this month. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting on Saturday, with PKF officials citing violations of mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) rules and raising concerns over Rajput’s conduct during the event.
The controversy surfaced after photos and videos circulated on social media showing Rajput wearing an Indian jersey and waving the Indian flag following a match win. According to the PKF, as reported by PTI, Rajput travelled abroad to participate in the tournament without obtaining the required NOC from either the federation or relevant authorities. PKF secretary Rana Sarwar said the matter was treated seriously, particularly because of Rajput’s actions while appearing for the Indian side.
Sarwar said Rajput has claimed the episode was a “complete misunderstanding” and that he was not informed beforehand that the private team he joined would be presented as an Indian team. However, Sarwar stressed that Rajput was still at fault for breaching NOC regulations. He also confirmed that the player has the right to challenge the ban before a disciplinary committee.
The federation noted that the issue came to light swiftly after online footage showed Rajput competing in Indian colours and later draping himself in the Indian flag at the GCC Cup in Bahrain. Sarwar added that other players who took part in the event without securing NOCs have also faced bans and fines, underlining the PKF’s intention to strictly enforce rules governing national representation.
Rajput, meanwhile, issued a public apology and offered his explanation. He said he was invited to play in the Bahrain tournament as part of a private team and was unaware initially that the side would be labelled as an “Indian team”. He maintained that once he learned of this, he asked the organisers not to use the names of India or Pakistan.
“In previous private tournaments, Indian and Pakistani players have played together in mixed teams, but never under national names,” Rajput said, adding that such requests had been respected in the past. He further expressed distress over what he described as misrepresentation, stating, “I later realised I was being portrayed as playing for the Indian team, which I cannot imagine doing after the conflict.”
The episode has once again highlighted the sensitivities surrounding sporting participation involving athletes from rival nations, particularly against the backdrop of strained diplomatic relations.
- With inputs from agencies
