Probe ‘Unofficial’ Indian Team’s Visit to Pak: Rijiju to AKFI

Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju also criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan after the latter lauded his country’s kabaddi team for winning the final against India. 

(Photo: Twitter/)

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday ordered the national kabaddi federation to launch an inquiry into an "unauthorised" Indian team's participation in the circle style World Cup in Pakistan even as the side's promoter asserted that no permission was needed to compete in the "unofficial" tournament.

The team returned from Lahore after losing in the final on Sunday amid the furore over its participation in an event declared "invalid" by the International Kabaddi Federation.

“We did not need permission from any authority for participating in the tournament because we all went there in individual capacities.”

Davinder Singh, team promoter

"We have our own five different independent federations which went to Pakistan in their own capacities to take part in the competition. Therefore, there was nothing wrong in it," he added.

In New Delhi, the sports minister said he has asked the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) to conduct an inquiry.

"Our official kabaddi team didn't go to Pakistan. We don't know who has gone there. It is not right for any unofficial team to go anywhere and play with India's name. We didn't send any official team," Rijiju said.

“We will ask the kabaddi federation to conduct an inquiry and identify those people who went there and used India’s name without taking permission. To represent India in any recognised tournament, it is mandatory to take approval from the respective sport’s national federation.”

Kiren Rijiju, Union Sports Minister

The minister though added, "If somebody goes for any private tournament, then we can't do anything."

Soon after the Indian team arrived in Lahore for the tournament, it had kicked up a storm with the sports ministry and the national federation claiming that they did not give clearance to any athlete for competing in the neighbouring country.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to congratulate his team after it beat India in the final and asked about it, Rijiju said it was not wise on Khan's part.

"It is not wise for a person of the stature of Pakistan Prime Minister to make such statements. It is a serious matter. Imran Khan himself was a sportsman, now he has become the Prime Minister but he should avoid giving such statements," he said.

Meanwhile Bajwa said the tournament was dedicated to Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak Dev on his 550th birth anniversary celebrations.

"The team travelled to Pakistan on valid visa," he claimed. "It was not an official tournament that required permission from any specific department."