Pakistani player represents India in kabbadi tournament in Bahrain

A Pakistani kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput has triggered a controversy after playing for an Indian team in a kabaddi tournament in Bahrian.

According to media reports, he was spotted wearing the Indian team's jersey and holding the country’s lag.

Taking notice of his participation, the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation's General Council has summoned an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.

Federation Secretary Rana Sarwar said that the meeting has been convened by Chairman Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and would be held on December 27.

Sarwar said that 16 Pakistani players took part in the tournament held in Bahrain but they were not representing Pakistan at the national level. He said the federation had not allowed their participation nor had issued any no-objection certificates (NOC).

He said the players formed a private team that used Pakistan’s name without the government's permission and notifying the federation.

The secretary said that the federation viewed Rajput’s actions seriously, particularly his decision to play for an Indian side and publicly display the Indian flag.

Sarwar said that a detailed inquiry would be conducted and strict action would be taken against him. He also said that steps would be taken against people who promoted the event without authorisation and that the federation would not allow such activities to continue.

He said the federation would not tolerate any action that damaged Pakistan’s image, adding that while mixed-nationality teams may compete in club events, representing another country’s team and displaying its flag was unacceptable.