Delhi: The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) has imposed an indefinite ban on Ubaidullah Rajput, a prominent international kabaddi player, after he represented an Indian team in a private tournament held in Bahrain earlier this month.
The decision came following an emergency meeting of the federation, where Rajput was found to have participated in the tournament without securing the mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) from the PKF or other relevant authorities.
PKF Secretary Rana Sarwar confirmed that Rajput has the right to appeal the decision before a disciplinary committee. He emphasized that the federation took the matter seriously because Rajput not only traveled abroad without official permission but also wore an Indian jersey and draped the Indian flag around his shoulders after a victory during the GCC Cup.
Sarwar added that Rajput claimed the situation was a misunderstanding, insisting he was unaware that he would be part of a team identified as representing India. “He says he was never told the team would be labeled as Indian. However, he still violated NOC regulations,” Sarwar said.
The controversy erupted after videos and images showing Rajput wearing the Indian jersey and celebrating with the Indian flag went viral on social media. The federation also noted that other players who participated in the tournament without the required NOCs have been fined or suspended.
Rajput earlier issued an apology, explaining that he was invited to join a private team in Bahrain. “I was not aware that the team had been named the Indian team. I requested the organizers to avoid using the names of India and Pakistan,” he said, stressing that in previous private tournaments, players from both countries have participated together without representing either nation officially.
He further clarified, “I was misrepresented as playing for India, which I would never intentionally do given the ongoing conflict.”
The PKF’s action underscores its strict stance on players participating abroad without authorization, particularly in matches that could be politically sensitive.
