A major controversy has erupted in Pakistani sports circles after kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput was caught representing an India-labeled team at a private tournament in Bahrain. The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) has scheduled an emergency meeting on December 27 to decide his fate following the December 16 incident.
What Really Happened in Bahrain Kabaddi Tournament?
The situation is more complicated than it appears. Rajput did not technically represent the Indian national team but played for a privately-owned franchise named ‘India’ in Bahrain. However, according to Vegas11 News sources, the timing could not have been worse given the current India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor.
Photos and videos showing Rajput waving the Indian tricolor and sporting the India jersey went viral on social media, triggering immediate backlash from Pakistani kabaddi fans and officials.
PKF Secretary Confirms Action Against Ubaidullah Rajput
PKF secretary Rana Sarwar addressed the kabaddi player controversy in a strongly-worded statement. “It was a private event with teams named India, Pakistan, Canada, Iran and others by the organisers. However, each team was made up of players from the same country. Indian players represented the Indian private team, and Ubaidullah playing for them is unacceptable in these circumstances,” Sarwar explained.
The federation revealed a bigger problem: 16 Pakistani kabaddi players traveled to Bahrain without proper clearances from either the PKF or the Pakistan Sports Board.
Multiple Players Face Federation Penalties
Sarwar made it clear that Rajput will not be the only one facing consequences. “Action will also be taken against those who falsely played under the name of the Pakistan team,” he confirmed, indicating a wider crackdown on unauthorized participation.
The PKF meeting scheduled for December 27 will determine the exact penalties, which could range from temporary suspensions to permanent bans from representing Pakistan in international kabaddi competitions.
Political Tensions Add Fuel to Kabaddi Controversy
The incident has gained additional attention due to ongoing India-Pakistan hostilities. Operation Sindoor, launched by India following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, has heightened sensitivities around national symbols and representation.
Vegas11 News reports that Pakistani sports authorities are under pressure to take strict action to demonstrate their stance during this politically charged period.
What This Means for Pakistani Kabaddi Players
The Ubaidullah Rajput case sets a precedent for Pakistani kabaddi athletes considering participation in private international tournaments. The key takeaways:
Players must obtain proper clearances from PKF and Pakistan Sports Board before participating in any international event, even private tournaments. Representing teams labeled with rival nation names, particularly India, is considered a serious violation during current political circumstances. The federation is tightening controls over player movements to international kabaddi competitions.
The kabaddi community awaits the December 27 PKF meeting to see what specific actions will be taken against Rajput and the other 15 players who participated without authorization.
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