Pakistan Kabaddi Player Ubaidullah Rajput Faces Indefinite Ban for Playing in Indian Team
Indefinite Suspension for Ubaidullah Rajput
Ubaidullah Rajput, a prominent kabaddi player representing Pakistan internationally, has received an indefinite suspension from the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF). This decision follows his participation in a private tournament in Bahrain, where he played for an Indian team earlier this month.
The ban was enacted after an emergency meeting held by the PKF on Saturday, which concluded that Rajput had violated regulations by traveling abroad to compete without securing a necessary no-objection certificate (NOC) from the federation or relevant authorities.
PKF secretary Rana Sarwar stated that Rajput has the option to appeal the decision before a disciplinary committee.
Sarwar emphasized the seriousness of Rajput's actions, noting that he not only traveled without an NOC but also represented an Indian team, donned their jersey, and even wrapped himself in the Indian flag after a victory.
Rajput, however, contends that there was a misunderstanding regarding the team he was to represent, claiming he was unaware it was an Indian side. Despite this, Sarwar confirmed that he is still accountable for breaching NOC protocols.
The situation escalated when videos and images of Rajput in an Indian jersey and waving the Indian flag during the GCC Cup circulated widely on social media.
Sarwar mentioned that other players have also faced bans and fines for participating in the tournament without the required NOCs.
Previously, Rajput issued an apology, explaining that he was invited to join a private team for the Bahrain tournament. He stated, "I was not informed that the team was named the Indian team, and I requested the organizers to avoid using the names of India and Pakistan. In past private competitions, players from both nations have collaborated without representing their countries explicitly."
He further expressed, "I later discovered that I was misrepresented as part of the Indian team, which I would never consider due to the ongoing conflict."