‘Indian’ players who arrived in Lahore for the Kabaddi World Championship 2020 have been adjusted in teams of other countries | Photo Credit: Twitter

Key Highlights 'Indian' players, who reached Pakistan for World Kabaddi Championship 2020, have been adjusted in 'other teams' The team was not authorised to use the word 'India' as its participation was not approved by the Sports Ministry and central government Kabaddi World Championship 2020 kick-started from January 9

A massive controversy was sparked after a group of ‘Indian’ Kabaddi players reached Pakistan via the Wagah Border to take part in the Kabaddi World Cup 2020 which is being hosted by Pakistan. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) along with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that no permission has been given to any athlete to participate in Pakistan and they can’t use ‘Team India’ unless there’s an official clearance provided by the Sports Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs.

Now, it is learned that the ‘Indian’ players who arrived in Lahore for the Kabaddi World Championship 2020 have been adjusted in teams of other countries such as Australia, England and Canada. As many as 45 players (approximately) excluding a group of 12 coaches and officials are in Pakistan without any official clearance by the government of India.

Pakistan Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation (PACKF) has demanded an investigation into why unauthorised players were being advertised and treated as official ‘Indian team’ ahead of the Kabaddi World Championship 2020. PACKF Secretary-General Muhammad Sarwar Bhatt confirmed, to The Times of India, that ‘Indian’ players have been distributed in other participating teams of England, Canada and Australia. Bhatt further said that some of the teams were incomplete prior to their arrival in Pakistan and players with Indian passport have filled up the vacant slots.

Earlier, Justice SP Garg (retd), administrator of the AKFI, said that it is up to the central government to take action against the ‘Indian’ Kabaddi players. He further said that the AKFI would ask Punjab Kabaddi Association whether they had played any sort of part in sending the players to Lahore. After statements made by the IOA and Sports Ministry, World Kabaddi Federation on Monday said the Kabaddi team from India is not 'authorised' to use the word 'Indian' as their participation was not approved by the Sports Ministry.

"The statement of IOA is true. The Indian team which is in Lahore is not official. Unless it is approved by Sports Ministry no team is authorized to use the word "India"," L. Dorji Lama, President and CEO, World Kabaddi Federation, told IANS.