Pakistani Kabaddi Player, Who Represented Team India In Private Tournament Wearing Indian Jersey, Gets Banned Indefinitely

A Pakistan international Kabaddi player, Ubaidullah Rajput has been banned for indefinite time after he represented an Indian team in a private tournament in Bahrain earlier this month. The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) imposed the ban following an emergency meeting on Saturday (December 27, 2025).

The player was found guilty of travelling abroad to feature in the tournament without obtaining a mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) from the federation.

PKF secretary Rana Sarwar said, “The federation took account that Rajput not only travelled overseas without an NOC but also represented a team from India. He wore India’s jersey, and wrapped the Indian flag around his shoulders after winning a match.”

“But he 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 had earlier issued an apology. “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 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,” Rajput added.

Rajput landed in controversy after videos and photographs from the GCC Cup, showing him wearing an Indian jersey and waving the Indian flag, went viral on social media.

Sarwar added that other players were also banned and fined for participating in the tournament without obtaining the required NOCs.

Ubaidullah Rajput is a popular Pakistani kabaddi player who has represented his country on numerous occasions. His popularity extends beyond Pakistan, with fans from across the region admiring his skills on the mat.

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