Lahore: A major controversy has erupted in Pakistan hockey after national team captain Shakeel Ammad Butt lashed out at the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), alleging gross mismanagement during the team’s recent tour of Australia.
Speaking to the media upon arrival at Lahore Airport early this morning, an angry Butt accused the federation of misleading players and failing to provide basic arrangements during the tour. The Pakistan team was in Australia for the FIH Pro League matches.
“We can’t work with this current management of the federation. When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match, what result do you expect from us?” Butt said, expressing deep frustration over what he termed as “humiliating treatment”.
According to the captain, the team had to endure severe inconvenience throughout the tour. The players reportedly waited for 13 to 14 hours at Sydney Airport before boarding their onward flight to Canberra. The situation worsened when the team checked into their designated hotel, only to be informed that no booking had been confirmed due to non-payment of advance charges.
The controversy intensified after the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed that it had released more than 10 million Pakistani rupees to the PHF specifically for arranging hotel accommodation for the national squad in Australia.
The revelations have triggered widespread criticism of the federation, with former players and sports analysts questioning the accountability and transparency of the PHF’s management.
The incident has not only embarrassed Pakistan hockey on the international stage but has also raised serious concerns about the treatment of national athletes. As pressure mounts, calls for administrative reforms within the federation are growing louder.
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