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Pakistani kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput has been slapped with an indefinite ban by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF). This disciplinary action follows his participation in a private tournament held in Bahrain earlier this month, where he competed for an Indian team. According to a PTI report, the PKF reached this decision during an emergency meeting on December 28, finding Rajput guilty of playing on foreign soil without obtaining the mandatory No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the federation or relevant government authorities.
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Pakistani Kabaddi player banned after turning out for Indian Team
The federation’s concerns extended beyond the lack of paperwork, as they took serious issue with the player's symbolic gestures during the event. PKF Secretary Rana Sarwar noted that the federation was particularly disturbed by the fact that Rajput not only represented an Indian side but also wore their official jersey. Furthermore, he was seen wrapping the Indian tricolour around his shoulders to celebrate a victory, an act that prompted the swift and severe response from the governing body.
While the ban is currently in effect, Rajput has been granted the opportunity to challenge the verdict. Secretary Sarwar confirmed that the player maintains the right to appeal his case before the federation's disciplinary committee.
"But he (Rajput) has claimed it was a total misunderstanding, and he was never told the team he would play for in the private tournament would be an Indian side. But he is still guilty of flouting NOC rules," Sarwar said.
The controversy surrounding Ubaidullah intensified after visual evidence of his participation went viral on social media. Clips and photographs from the GCC Cup captured the athlete wearing an Indian team jersey and prominently waving the Indian national flag, sparking immediate backlash from the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF). In response to the breach of conduct, PKF Secretary Rana Sarwar confirmed that several other players who participated in the Bahrain event without authorized No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) have also been banned and fined as part of a broader crackdown.
I didn't know until later they had named the side the Indian team: Ubaidullah Rajput
In his defense, Rajput has characterised the incident as a significant misunderstanding. He claimed he was invited to play for a private side and was initially unaware that the team had been officially designated as an Indian squad. According to Rajput, once he discovered the team’s name, he explicitly requested the organisers to avoid using national identifiers like India or Pakistan, noting that while players from both nations often compete together in private leagues, they typically do so under neutral team names.
Despite his apology and the claim that he was misrepresented, the PKF has maintained its strict stance. The federation emphasised that the act of representing a team from a rival nation, and celebrating with their national symbols, is unacceptable, especially when coupled with the failure to secure official travel clearance. While Rajput insists he would never intentionally represent India given the current political climate, he remains under an indefinite ban pending a possible appeal.
"But I didn't know until later they had named the side the Indian team, and I told the organizers to not use names of India and Pakistan. In private competitions in the past, Indian and Pakistani players have played together for a private team but never under the names of India or Pakistan. I found out later that I was misrepresented as playing for the Indian team which I can’t think of doing after the conflict," he stated.
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