Pak kabaddi player Ubaidullah banned for playing for Indian Team in Bahrain

In a controversial move that has sparked debate across sporting circles, Pakistan international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput has been banned indefinitely by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) for representing an Indian team in a private tournament held in Bahrain earlier this month.

The decision was taken after an emergency meeting of the PKF on Saturday, where the federation found Rajput guilty of travelling abroad without securing a mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC). The issue was compounded by the fact that Rajput not only played in the event but also wore an Indian team jersey and was seen draping the Indian flag around his shoulders after a match during the GCC Cup.

PKF secretary Rana Sarwar said the federation viewed the violation seriously, stressing that international players are required to seek prior approval before participating in overseas tournaments. “Regardless of whether the event was private, travelling without an NOC is a clear breach of federation rules,” Sarwar said. He added that Rajput has the right to appeal the ban before a disciplinary committee.

The matter came to light after videos and photographs of Rajput in Indian colours went viral on social media, triggering criticism and raising questions about player conduct amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

Rajput, however, has defended himself, calling the incident a “misunderstanding”. In his explanation, he said he was invited to play for a private team and was not informed in advance that the side would be named as an Indian team. “I later objected to the use of India and Pakistan names by the organisers,” he said, adding that in past private competitions, players from both countries had played together under neutral team names.

The player also issued a public apology, stating that he never intended to represent India and felt misrepresented by the organisers. “I cannot think of doing this, especially after the recent conflict,” he said.

Sarwar confirmed that Rajput was not the only player punished, noting that several others were also banned and fined for participating in the tournament without proper clearance.

The episode highlights the strict regulatory framework governing international athletes in Pakistan and underscores how off-field decisions can have serious consequences for sporting careers.