ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has intervened in blocking a scheduled tour of a team associated with a 'fake kabaddi federation' to India with the help of human trafficking cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Dawn has learnt from senior sports officials.

Earlier this month, secretary of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF), associated with sports board and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Mohammad Sarwar wrote a letter to Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabarwal requesting him to block a visit of the team linked with an unregistered kabaddi organisation to India.

Sarwar has also conveyed his message to Pakistan's Foreign Office and the Federal Sports Ministry over the tour planned by the unregistered kabaddi federation from Lahore. The PKF secretary also communicated his concerns to the Indian Kabaddi Federation over the visit of un-registered sports body.

Later, the Indian High Commission also sought information from the Foreign Office which was given the right picture by the Sports Ministry.

An official of the Sports Ministry in his statement said “[Pakistan's] genuine kabaddi federation is headed by Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain with Secretary Mohammad Sarwar. It is the recognised and affiliated kabaddi federation of Pakistan.”

A PSB official, on condition of anonymity, told Dawn on Thursday “The FIA's human trafficking and emigration staff has barred the team from proceeding to India. The team composed of around 20 amateur kabaddi players and few officials. The fake team was to enter India through the Wagah Border.”

The PSB official said the Indian High Commission had already issued visas to the 'fake registered kabaddi' body.

Meanwhile, Faik Ali, an official PSB spokesman, said “The board's stance is very strict on this issue and there will be no leniency.”

Mohammad Sarwar said “My concerns are genuine and I am grateful to the federal government officials who took a timely notice of the illegal sports activity and save the game from disgrace.”

According to Sarwar, the fake federation's players were travelling on an invitation extended by their counterparts based in India.