They Gate Crashed! Cochin University Btech Alumni Association Issues Apology For Welcoming Shahid Afridi, Umar

The Kerala expatriate community in UAE issued an apology after a video showing the Cochin University Btech Alumni Association (CUBAA) welcomed Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul at an event in Dubai. The incident came to light after a video went viral showing Shahid Afridi receiving cheers from the attendees.

Critics on social media recalled and pointed out Afridi's recent contentious comments about Indian Army, after the Pahalgam terror attack, and called it disappointing. The backlash was characterized by comments on social media, with one user labeling the act as "shameful" and another criticizing the community for honoring someone who has spoken negatively about India.

CUBAA's official statement on Instagram sought to address the controversy by explaining the circumstances surrounding Afridi's appearance. The organizers clarified that the booking of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) as the venue for their inter-collegiate dance competition's second season was made well in advance, before any recent escalations in India-Pakistan tensions. They highlighted the venue's affordability and previous use for the event's first season as reasons for their choice. Furthermore, they noted that on the day of their event, May 25, Afridi and other cricketers arrived at the auditorium for a different event, coinciding with the conclusion of the Kerala community's programme.

The association stressed that Afridi's presence was neither planned nor facilitated by their organizing team, officials, or alumni members. They pointed out that their published event schedule did not list Afridi or the other cricketers as guests, reinforcing the unplanned nature of his attendance. They admitted to being caught off guard by the cricketers' surprise visit and acknowledged their inability to properly manage the crowd's reaction in such a short timeframe.