Metro53 - Gujrat (Web Desk): The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) has imposed a ban on Pakistani kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput for playing on behalf of an Indian team and waving the Indian flag during a tournament.
The decision was approved during a meeting of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s General Council held in Lahore under the chairmanship of Chaudhry Shafay Hussain. The chairman stated that the player has the right to appeal against the ban and that the case has been referred to the disciplinary committee. He further clarified that no player will be allowed to play abroad without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Incident Details:
It is worth mentioning that during a recent tournament held in Bahrain, a video of Ubaidullah Rajput went viral in which he was seen wearing an Indian team jersey, playing for the Indian side, and waving the Indian flag on the field.
Pakistan Kabaddi Federation Secretary Rana Sarwar said that 16 Pakistani players participated in the Bahrain tournament; however, it was not an official national team, nor had any NOC been obtained. He added that action would be taken against self-formed teams and promoters, and that no one would be allowed to bring disrepute to Pakistan’s name.
Ubaidullah Rajput’s Stance:
Ubaidullah Rajput clarified that the tournament is held annually in Bahrain and that he had participated in it previously as well. He claimed that he was not aware that the teams would be named India and Pakistan. According to him, friends informed him upon entering the ground that he was playing for the Indian team, and the commentator was also told that it was not an India-Pakistan match but a local cup.
He further stated that slogans were raised at the venue, but he had no intention or prior knowledge that flags would be waved. He said it was just a cup tournament, not a World Cup, and if it had been a World Cup, he would have definitely played for Pakistan. Ubaidullah also apologized, saying he never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Federation’s Position:
The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation maintains that it is unacceptable for a national player to play for an Indian team and wave its flag. Secretary Rana Sarwar termed the incident unfortunate and emphasized that the federation will continue to take strict action in such matters.
