Pakistan kabaddi player plays for Indian team, set to face disciplinary action

A prominent Pakistani kabaddi player, Ubaidullah Rajput, is facing potential disciplinary measures after participating in a private kabaddi tournament in Bahrain. The situation arose after photos and videos circulated on social media showing Rajput wearing an Indian jersey and waving the Indian flag during the GCC Cup on December 16.

The images of Rajput representing a team identified as India in the competition sparked immediate criticism and drew the attention of Pakistani officials. Rana Sarwar, the secretary of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation, confirmed that an emergency meeting is scheduled for December 27 to address the matter and determine the appropriate action against Rajput and other players involved.

Sarwar explained that the Bahrain event was a privately organized competition where the organizers named teams after countries like India, Pakistan, Canada, and Iran. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he emphasized that each team was intended to consist of players from its respective country. "It was a private event with private teams formed under the names of India, Pakistan, Canada, Iran, etc. by the organizers," Sarwar stated. "But all the teams had players of their own origin. Indian players represented the Indian private side, and Ubaidullah played for them, which is unacceptable."

Sarwar also revealed that 16 Pakistani players traveled to Bahrain independently, without seeking permission from the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation or the Pakistan Sports Board. He added that these players would also face consequences for falsely representing themselves as part of a Pakistan team.

Rajput has since issued a public apology, explaining that he was invited to participate in the tournament and was selected for a private team without initially knowing that the team would be presented as the Indian team. "I did not know until later that they had named the side as the Indian team, and I told the organizers not to use the names of India and Pakistan," Rajput said. He also noted that in previous private competitions, Indian and Pakistani players have played together on mixed teams, but never under national team identities.

"I was not under the impression until I found out later that I was misrepresented as playing for the Indian team, which I can’t think of doing, especially after the conflict," Rajput added. The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation will now discuss the matter, with Rajput's future participation at stake as officials consider the circumstances surrounding his involvement in the Bahrain event.