Rijiju orders inquiry into unofficial participation in Pakistan Kabaddi WC

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday ordered the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India 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. “We did not need permission from any authority for participating in the tournament because we all went there in individual capacities,” team promoter Davinder Singh Bajwa told reporters upon returning via the Attari-Wagah land route. To represent India in any recognised tournament, it is mandatory to take approval from the respective sport’s national federation.” 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.