ISLAMABAD, Sept 20 The National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports has asked the federal interior secretary, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, and the newly appointed director-general of the FIA, Wasim Ahmed, to clarify their positions over the visit of the 'fake' kabaddi federation to India, Dawn has learnt.

The chairman of the NA Committee on Sports, Iqbal Mohammad Ali, told Dawn on Monday “This is a matter of great concern for the committee because a fake team was allowed to proceed to India despite the fact that Pakistan Sports Board and Federal Sports Ministry have informed the FIA.”

According to FIA sources, the team was earlier twice stopped at the Wagah border by the emigration authorities of the FIA and the players including officials were barred from travelling to India.

The NA body has also asked Pakistan Kabaddi Federation's secretary Mohammad Sarwar to appear before the committee and brief them about their role during the current development.

The genuine Pakistan Kabaddi Federation is headed by Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who according to an official had also shown serious reservations.

Iqbal, an MQM legislator, asserted “If such activities continue, recognised sports federations from PSB and Pakistan Olympic Association will face difficulties and parallel and non-registered federations will damage the image of Pakistan sport.”

However, sources in the FIA said that a late-night call from 'high-ups' forced them to allow the kabaddi players to proceed to India.

Earlier, the Sports Ministry and the kabaddi federation had informed the Indian foreign ministry to block the tour of the 'fake' team besides informing them about the genuine federation.

The aftermath of the current event, according to senior PSB officials, will have a negative effect on the authority of the sports board and its legal working.

A senior official of the PSB told Dawn on condition of anonymity that the easy entry of the several unregistered players to India would open new doors for people to mint money from innocent players.