Kabaddi team gets ministry’s clearance

Pakistan Circle Style Kabaddi team has finally been given the all-clear by the interior ministry to depart for India

LAHORE: The Pakistan Circle Style Kabaddi (PCSK) team has finally been given the all-clear by the interior ministry to depart for India via the Wagah border after being refused exit on Saturday for not providing the No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

The PCSK team is due to play 12 matches in the series against India in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh this month.

While the team carried a valid Indian visa along with the NOC by the interior ministry, the 18-man squad was held over doubts that the PCSK was not affiliated with the PSB as it was believed that the PSB-issued NOC was a prerequisite to participate in an event outside the country.

The PSB and the sports ministry confirmed that the team, or the event, was not recognised or affiliated with the PSB, there was no way they could have issued an NOC to the departing team.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2010.