Pakistan team landed in Canberra, Australia to take part in the FIH Pro League earlier this month. But rather getting a warm reception, the team found themselves stranded and were roaming around on the streets for six hours as their hotel booking had been cancelled due to unpaid bills.
As per reports, Pakistan Sports Board had released over Rs. 10 million but the funds never reached the hotel. Later, skipper of the side, Ammad Shakeel Butt said that players were forced to move to other accommodations, cook their own food, wash dishes, and clean their own rooms to survive.
“What was pathetic was that even the Airbnb accommodation was arranged for 10 days when we had to stay for 13 days,” he said.
“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?” he added.
“We have a good combination of players, but we need a foreign coach and good management,” the captain said.
PHF President Resigns
Subsequently, the team had a forgettable run in the tournament where they lost all their matches. The dismal show led to Pakistan Hockey Federation president Tariq Bugti losing his job and resulted in a controversial two-year suspension for Butt.
The ban on the captain was later overturned. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-appointed interim president of the PHF Muhuydin Ahmed Wani reversed the decision, stating it was an “illegal and unconstitutional step” by Bugti.
PCB Steps In
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi came out in support of Pakistan hockey players.
“We will accommodate hockey players in every possible way. We will extend complete cooperation to streamline hockey affairs,” Naqvi said.
“You should focus only on the game. Pakistan’s honour comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” Naqvi told the hockey players in a meeting.
Naqvi also clarified on X that he is not taking over the charge. “I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends,” Naqvi wrote on X.
A PCB statement further added that each player of the national side has received Pakistani rupees 1,000,000, according to a report in Dawn.
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