Jakhar seeks probe into kabaddi team’s visit to Pakistan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 10

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Sunil Jakhar on Monday demanded an inquiry into sending of a Punjabi Kabaddi Association’s team to Pakistan for a world championship.

Jakhar asked how the players had managed to go without any official permission or clearance from the Union Sports Ministry and External Affairs Ministry.

Addressing a press conference, Jakhar alleged Jatinder Singh (Mendu Kheda), who was leading the team, was close to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. “On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warns of teaching a lesson to Pakistan, and on the other, a close contact of the SAD leader took the team to Pakistan,” said Jakhar.

The PPCC chief showed a video of the secretary general of the Pakistan Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation, Mohammed Sarwar Butt, who said many countries had refused to participate in the event. He said members of the squad from India were to be part of teams of other countries.

Asking Sukhbir to clarify his stand on the controversial visit of the kabaddi players to Pakistan, Jakhar said the entire issue needed to be probed by the National Investigation Agency, as it was a serious issue. Pakistan is indulging in narco-terrorism while 60 Indian players were granted permission to visit the hostile neighbour, he said.

Drawing attention of the NDA government towards denial of permission to a Punjab minister to visit Nankana Sahib in connection with the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, Jakhar said the permission to the 60-player squad raised several questions.

He added the state should also probe the visit of team under the banner of Punjab Kabaddi Association, though it was the issue pertaining to national security.

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