Hasn't approved any kabaddi team's travel to Pakistan: IOA

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday said it has not sanctioned any kabaddi team's visit to Pakistan for a world level tournament.

A contingent from India reached Lahore on Saturday via the Wagah Border to take part in the championship, being hosted by Pakistan for the first time. Pictures and footage of the Indians arriving in Lahore have surfaced on social media platforms, kicking up a storm.

The tournament opened on Monday at the Punjab Football Stadium in Lahore, which will be followed by some matches in Faisalabad and Gujarat.

A Sports Ministry source on Sunday said the government has not granted permission to any athlete to travel to Pakistan for the event.

And now the IOA, too, distanced itself from the team's visit.

"The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) had already said that it has not approved any team to travel to Pakistan and the IOA too has not given any such approval," IOA president Narinder Batra said.

"The Sports Ministry has already made it clear that it has not given any approval. So, we don't really know who has travelled to Pakistan. No one can use India's name without the approval of the IOA and the government."