National kabaddi stars and official face 4-year bans over anti-doping violations
National kabaddi stars and official face 4-year bans over anti-doping violations
LAHORE: In a major blow to Pakistan’s indigenous sports sector, the Anti-Doping Organization of Pakistan (ADOP) has imposed a rigorous four-year ban on three prominent kabaddi players and one high-ranking official.
The sanctions follow an investigation into events during the recently concluded National Kabaddi Championship held in Lahore, where the individuals reportedly evaded mandatory testing.
The Violations and Sanctions According to a formal notification issued by ADOP, the bans were implemented under Articles 2.9 and 10.14.1 of the Anti-Doping Code.
The penalized athletes include Obaidullah Rajput, Malik bin Yamin, and Rana Haider, along with team official Kashif Sandhu. The charges stem from their refusal to provide samples for doping control during the National Championship, an act that carries the same weight as a positive test result under international regulations.
Dr. Quratulain, Chairperson of the Anti-Doping Organization of Pakistan, finalized the decision after the individuals failed to comply with the standard medical procedures mandated for national-level competitions.
Disciplinary Committee Summons In response to the ADOP notification, the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) has convened an emergency meeting of its Disciplinary Committee on January 13, 2026, in Lahore. The committee is headed by Rana Amjad Iqbal and includes members Akhtar Abbas, Colonel Nabeel, Sohail Ahmed, and Rana Sarwar.
The PKF has issued a final summons for the three players and the official to appear before the committee to present their defense. The Federation clarified that if the individuals fail to provide a satisfactory justification for their refusal to undergo testing, the four-year ban will be upheld in its entirety, prohibiting them from participating in any national or international kabaddi events.
Timeline of the Ban The PKF and ADOP have confirmed that the suspension is retroactive. The four-year ban is set to take effect from October 21, 2025, the date the infractions occurred during the championship.
This development is seen as a stern warning to athletes across all sports in Pakistan regarding the “zero-tolerance” policy toward doping and the evasion of medical officials. Kabaddi, which enjoys immense popularity in rural and urban Punjab, faces a challenging period as it seeks to maintain its integrity on the international stage.
