'Unacceptable in these circumstances': Pakistani Kabaddi star to face action for playing for 'India'

Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) said it will be taking action against their player Ubaidullah Rajput after he was found representing an Indian team in a private tournament in Bahrain on December 16.

Clips of Rajput in Indian shirt and waving the Indian flag in the GCC Cup went viral on social media and that has prompted disciplinary action against him.

PKF has said that the federation will be convening an emergency meeting on December 27 to discuss the matter and decide on the course of action.

PKF says Rajput’s participation is ‘unacceptable’

The secretary of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation, Rana Sarwar, confirmed that the incident indeed took place and that it was unacceptable for the players to participate from Indian side.

“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.

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Sarwar also said that 16 Pakistani players had gone to Bahrain to participate in this event without the permission from the federation.

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

Rajput issues apology

Rajput has clarified that it was a private team that he represented which was named India against his will. He also apologised for his participation.

“But I didn’t know until later they had named the side Indian team and I told the organizers to don’t use names of India and Pakistan.

“In private competitions in the past Indian and Pakistan players have played together for a private team but never under the names of India or Pakistan.”

“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 after the conflict.”