Controversy erupts as Pakistani player represents Indian Team in Bahrain, set to be punished

Popular Pakistani international kabaddi star Ubaidullah Rajput is facing the threat of severe disciplinary action after participating in a private tournament in Bahrain on December 16. Rajput caused a massive stir when he appeared for an Indian team during the GCC Cup, a move that has quickly escalated into a national controversy.

The player's situation worsened after videos and photographs from the event went viral on social media. The footage showed Rajput not only competing in an Indian team jersey but also prominently waving the Indian flag, images that have sparked significant backlash and caught the attention of sports authorities in Pakistan.

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Pakistani kabaddi player turns out for Indian team in Bahrain

In response to the incident, Rana Sarwar, the secretary of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF), announced that an emergency meeting has been scheduled for December 27. During this session, the federation will deliberate on the matter and determine the specific disciplinary measures to be taken against Rajput and several other players reportedly involved in the event.

“I can confirm it was a private event with private teams formed under the names of India, Pakistan, Canada, Iran etc. in the competition by the organisers. 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 in these circumstances,” Sarwar said, as quoted by Sportstar.

Rana Sarwar also revealed that a total of 16 Pakistani players traveled to Bahrain to participate in the tournament. He emphasized that these athletes went in their personal capacity, without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) or formal clearance from either the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation or the Pakistan Sports Board.

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Disciplinary probe against Ubaidullah Rajput ensues

The federation is taking the matter seriously because the group reportedly competed under the name of a "Pakistan team" without any official authorization. Sarwar noted that while players are generally free to join international clubs, representing a foreign country or using the national name in an unsanctioned event is a breach of protocol. Consequently, the upcoming disciplinary meeting will address the conduct of all 16 players involved for their unauthorized participation.

“So, action will also be taken against these players for falsely playing under the names of the Pakistan team,” he added.

However, Rajput has issued a public apology and clarified the circumstances of his participation. The athlete explained that while he was indeed invited to play in the Bahrain tournament, he was under the impression that he was joining a standard private club team rather than a side representing a specific country.

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Rajput further detailed that he was initially unaware that the organizers had designated his team as "India." He claimed that as soon as he realized the team’s name and the nature of the branding, he specifically requested the organizers not to use the names of either India or Pakistan for private clubs. He noted that while it is common for players from both nations to compete together in private leagues, they traditionally do so under neutral club names rather than national identities.

Despite his explanation, the imagery of him in an Indian jersey waving the Indian flag has remained a point of contention. Rajput maintained that he was misrepresented by the event's promoters and insisted he had no intention of causing offense or appearing to switch national allegiances, stating that his loyalty to Pakistan remains absolute.

“But I didn’t know until later they had named the side Indian team and I told the organisers to not use names of India and Pakistan,” Rajput said.