The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is once again in controversy after the captain of Pakistan hockey team Ammad Shakeel Butt targeted the federation after the Hockey team went through humiliation during the recent Australia tour.

After reaching Lahore on Wednesday morning, Butt spoke to reporters, he said that players and he won’t be functioning any longer under the present federation management. He pointed out that the management has poor planning and even there is a financial mismanagement problem, and these issues left the team embarrassed overseas. “We can’t work with this current management. When players have to clean kitchens and wash dishes before going to play a match, what kind of results can you expect?”.

Was the Pakistani team stranded in Australia?

After landing in Sydney, the major problem started, the team was forced to wait for almost 13 hours at the airport before the team was taken to Canberra. That wasn’t it, on arrival, Pakistani players were shocked when they came to know that their hotel reservations were cancelled because the hotel bills weren’t cleared. Team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt shared that with no reservation the team was forced to stand on the street with luggage. “After several hours, we were moved into Airbnb accommodation,” Butt shares. However, even the Airbnb was booked for 10 days, even though the tour was for 13 days. So, midway in the tour, the team was again forced to change places, to a cheaper lodging. “This turmoil reflected in their performances as Pakistan lost all their matches against Australia and Germany,” noted Butt.

Is Pakistan Hockey federation under scanner?

Yes, after the statement by the team captain, the Pakistan Hockey Federation is under intense scrutiny. It has been confirmed by the Pakistan Sports Board that over Rs 10 million (approximately USD 36,000) was released for players’ hotel expenses in Australia. Besides, Butt confirmed that his team was threatened, if they speak in the media about the tour and the issues faced, disciplinary action will be taken against them. “I am speaking up because of what we went through in Australia. We have a good group of players, but we need a foreign coach and professional management if Pakistan hockey is to move forward,” noted Butt.