Lahore: Pakistan national hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has accused the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and team management of severe mismanagement and mistreatment of players during the Australia tour.
Speaking to the media at Lahore Airport, Butt said: "Qualifying for the Pro Hockey League after seven years is a major achievement for Pakistan."
He revealed that upon landing at Sydney Airport, the team was left stranded for 13 hours like orphans. Butt confirmed that all reports emerging from Hobart regarding the team’s conditions were accurate.
He further stated, "We were warned not to let this information reach India, but I and the players recorded videos and shared them anyway." Butt called upon the Prime Minister and the Army Chief to take immediate notice of the matter.
The captain alleged that the PHF and team management subjected players to severe mistreatment. Players were forced to perform menial tasks such as cooking meals, washing dishes, doing laundry, and scrubbing washrooms tasks unfit for professional athletes.
"These are players who work tirelessly to represent their country. How can restrictions like this be imposed, and how can they perform at their best after cleaning toilets and kitchenware?" Butt questioned.
He added that the management tried to divide the team by approaching each player individually and asking whether they supported the management or me. Butt emphasized that the entire team remains united behind him.
"We cannot work with this management team. Our only demand is that we will not continue under this leadership. The Wilder Cup qualifying round is in five days, and we need proper arrangements to perform at our best," he said.
Butt acknowledged the support of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) but accused the management of obstructing proper facilities. He stated that players were threatened against speaking to the media and warned about bans, but he stressed that he does not accept PHF’s code of conduct.
Noorish Sabah, Director General of PSB, confirmed that the board had arranged and paid for hotel accommodations in Australia, which were later cancelled by PHF.
She clarified that while PSB took steps to provide facilities, the responsibility for the situation rested entirely with the federation.
She also announced that a comprehensive inquiry report would be sent to the Prime Minister, underlining that mistreatment of national athletes will not be tolerated.
Despite the controversy, Butt expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, stating that Pakistan has the potential to compete at the World Cup and Olympic levels.
He also stressed the urgent need for a foreign coach to guide the team back on track and restore professional standards.
