Footage of a Pakistani kabaddi champion smiling in an Indian jersey and waving the tricolour lit up social media this week, when the athlete, Ubaidullah Rajput, whose clip came from a private GCC Cup tournament in Bahrain, was banned indefinitely by his national federation on December 28, 2025.
Following this, people are curious about why the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation reacted so swiftly, and this article explains the story behind the Ubaidullah Rajput ban, why the ban on the Pakistani kabaddi player was imposed and what it says about cross-border sport.
PKF Slaps Ubaidullah Rajput Ban for Wearing an Indian Jersey
On 28 December 2025, the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) convened an emergency meeting, and it was determined that a national team star, Ubaidullah Rajput, had travelled to Bahrain without a required no-objection certificate (NOC) and played for a team renowned as the Indian.
The PKF viewed his actions, putting on an Indian jersey, wrapping the Indian flag around his shoulders after a win and celebrating with teammates, as a grave breach of the federation’s regulations.
Rana Sarwar, the federation’s secretary, announced that Ubaidullah Rajput’s ban was indefinite and that the player could appeal to a disciplinary committee. However, this Pakistan kabaddi player was banned for a short duration, but this move received instant responses across the South Asian region.
The fact that a star of kabaddi was suspended so long due to what he termed a misunderstanding shocked a lot of fans, and the officials insisted that rules do not need interpretation. His ban, therefore, turned out to be a lightning rod to debate, throwing light on the way regulations relate to national pride.
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Pakistan Kabaddi Player Ban: The Scandal as it Unfolded
Rajput was privately engaged in the GCC Cup, and he said that he was a part of a mixed team that included a few players from various countries and believed that they would play under a neutral flag. Nevertheless, its promoter in the tournament marketed it as an Indian team.
Following this, videos and photos of Rajput wearing an Indian jersey and draping the Indian flag went viral on different social media outlets.
The images were widely shared, prompting questions from fans and officials back home. Rajput’s travels occurred without the PKF’s permission; the federation says he never applied for or received the required NOC. The combination of unauthorized travel and wearing a rival nation’s colours culminated in the Pakistan kabaddi player’s ban.
The history of the ban demonstrates how fast an exceptionally small misunderstanding can compound. The videos caused outrage within days after the tournament was over, the federation called an emergency session and the sanction was imposed.
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Reactions from PKF and the Player
PKF secretary Rana Sarwar said that Rajput was entitled to appeal but stressed that he breached the rules of NOC and acted on behalf of India, which the federation could not ignore. Sarwar also noted that other players who participated without clearance were fined or suspended.
However, Rajput apologized publicly, explaining that he accepted an invitation to play and did not know the team would be marketed as an Indian one. He said he urged organizers not to use the names of India and Pakistan and pointed out that players from both countries have previously formed private teams without national labels.
After the videos emerged, he insisted that he felt misrepresented and could not imagine intentionally representing India given the geopolitical context. Although he explained that, the ban that was imposed on Ubaidullah Rajput still stands.
Here are some reactions from the general audience:
Regardless, the Pakistan kabaddi player ban serves as a stark reminder that athletes must navigate administrative and diplomatic minefields alongside their sporting commitments.
What Happens Next?
After the ban, Rajput has the option of appealing it to the disciplinary committee of the PKF. If he does so, the panel can take into consideration his explanation and the precedent of the mixed team in the tournament.
According to sports law experts, the success of an appeal usually depends on whether the rules of the federation were well-communicated and whether the player was in bad faith in his actions. A successful appeal could reduce the punishment, while an unsuccessful one would keep the ban in place.
Meanwhile, the hard-line position of the federation is an indication that the subsequent participants are bound to obtain NOCs and make sure that they are not accidentally placed under the national banners. This ban on Kabaddi players in Pakistan is something that Kabaddi fans wish to avoid regarding cross-border friendships, which are made through sport.
If the appeal process leads to a reduction or reversal, the penalty could still leave a lasting imprint on the way federations handle private tournaments. Should the sanction stand, it will likely become the benchmark by which future cases are judged.
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