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World Kabaddi Federation calls C’ship in Pakistan 'unauthorised', so how did ‘unofficial’ Indian team land there?

Since an ‘Indian team’ landed in Pakistan for the World Kabaddi Championship, a lot of talks have been doing the rounds. The sports ministry and the national federation had clearly stated that they did not grant permission to any team to travel to the neighbouring country.

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Since an ‘Indian team’ landed in Pakistan for the World Kabaddi Championship, a lot of talks have been doing the rounds. The sports ministry and the national federation had clearly stated that they did not grant permission to any team to travel to the neighbouring country.

Questions over how a 60-member contingent was allowed to participate in the tournament are also raised.

“Twelve players are required to form a kabaddi team. So how could a 60-member contingent obtain the permission to travel to Pakistan and take part in a tournament,” asked a former Punjab Kabaddi Association (PKA) functionary requesting anonymity.

Talking to IANS, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Narinder Batra said, that the team, which reached Lahore was not an official squad from the country. 

He added that they can’t use the word “India” under their banner, as they have not been approved by the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India (AKFI).

The World Kabaddi Federation also said that the ‘World Championship’ in Pakistan was “unauthorised” and “no institution will officially recognise the certificates” issued by it. So now the main question that arises is how did the team land up in Pakistan especially at a time when ties between the two countries are at their lowest?

According to some experts, the Indian players can play for those countries which have Indian origin players in the majority, IANS reported. 

However, the coach of the Indian kabaddi team clarified that the players are participating in their individual capacity and have nothing to do with the PKA.

Coach Harpreet Singh Baba, who has accompanied the team, said the squad got the invite to take part in the tournament at an individual level.

“Like earlier occasions, we came here this time to participate in the tournament. Since we all are here in an individual capacity, the approval of the Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian Olympic Association was not required,” Baba told IANS over the phone.

He added that each player had applied for the visa individually and procured it.

“We are all citizens of India and procured visa on the basis of taking part in the World Cup which will see the participation of 10 countries. And this is not the first time that we came here. In fact, we are frequently travelling to Britain and Canada in an individual capacity to participate in different tournaments,” said a player, who didn’t wish to be identified.

“If we were of doubtful integrity, the Indian immigration authorities wouldn’t have allowed us. We told them that we are going to participate in the World Cup,” he added.

When asked why the jerseys they are using had the word 'India' inscribed on it, Baba said that since it was a World Cup, the organisers named the team India.

“Also if there was any objection from the Ministry of External Affairs or the Sports Ministry, they should have barred us from coming here,” Baba added.

Another point to this controversy that emerged was after PKA Vice President Tejinder Singh Middukhera said that the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has organised the tournament to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

“The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation had invited the players individually for participation. We have not issued any official letter to any player. Since they all went there in their individual capacity, and not representing the country, the question of seeking permission doesn’t arise,” Middukhera said.

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