NEW DELHI: Pakistan international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput has been handed an indefinite ban by the national federation for participating in a private tournament in Bahrain while representing an Indian team earlier this month.
The decision was taken by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) during an emergency meeting on Saturday. The federation ruled that Rajput had violated regulations by travelling overseas and taking part in the event without securing the required no-objection certificate (NOC) from the PKF or other concerned authorities.
PKF secretary Rana Sarwar confirmed that Rajput will have the opportunity to challenge the decision by filing an appeal before the federation's disciplinary committee.
Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has imposed ban on Pakistani player Ubaidullah Rajput for representing Indian team in Bahrain Kabaddi Cup. Rajput has right to appeal but disciplinary committee is unlikely to grant any relief#Kabaddi #PakistanKabaddi pic.twitter.com/bA2t7Av3ze
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) December 27, 2025
Sarwar said the federation viewed the matter as extremely serious, noting that Rajput not only travelled abroad without obtaining an NOC but also played for an Indian team, wore its jersey, and was seen draping the Indian flag around his shoulders after winning a match.
"But he (Rajput) has claimed it was a total misunderstanding and he was never told the team he would play for in the private tournament would be an Indian side. But he is still guilty of flouting NOC rules," Sarwar said.
Rajput landed in trouble after videos and photographs of him wearing an Indian jersey and waving the Indian flag during the GCC Cup went viral on social media.
Sarwar added that other players have also been banned and fined for participating in the event without obtaining NOCs.
Rajput had earlier issued an apology, stating that he was invited to play in the tournament in Bahrain and was included in a private team.
"But I didn't know until later they had named the side Indian team and I told the organizers to not 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," he had said.
"I found out later that I was misrepresented as playing for the Indian team which I can’t think of doing after the conflict."
(With PTI Inputs)
