‘Had to wash dishes’: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt slams PHF over Australia fiasco | VIDEO
Karachi: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Shakeel Butt launched a scathing attack on the national federation on Wednesday, detailing a "humiliating" Australian tour where players were forced to perform manual labour and left stranded without accommodation.
Upon the team’s arrival at Lahore Airport early this morning, a visibly angry Butt declared that the squad can no longer function under the current leadership of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). He accused the body of systemic mismanagement and dishonesty during their recent FIH Pro League campaign.
"We can't work with this current management of the federation," Butt told reporters. "When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match, what result do you expect from us?"
Logistical Collapse
The captain’s remarks shed light on a series of administrative failures that reportedly began the moment the team arrived in Australia:
- Stranded at Transit: The squad was forced to wait between 13 and 14 hours at the Sydney airport before travelling to Canberra.
- Cancelled Bookings: Upon reaching their destination, the players were informed their hotel reservations had been cancelled due to non-payment by the PHF.
- Lack of Housing: The team reportedly spent hours roaming the streets with their luggage. While an Airbnb was eventually secured, it was booked for only 10 days of a 13-day trip, forcing a mid-tour move to even cheaper, substandard housing.
The off-field chaos translated to poor results on the pitch, with Pakistan losing all four of its matches against Australia and Germany.
Financial Scrutiny
The controversy has intensified pressure on the PHF after the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed it had released over 10 million rupees (approx. $36,000) specifically for the team’s hotel expenses in Australia.
PSB Director-General Noor us Sabah stated that a comprehensive report is being prepared for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who serves as the PHF’s patron-in-chief and has ordered a formal inquiry into the fiasco.
Demands for Reform
Butt further revealed that the federation had attempted to silence the squad, threatening "disciplinary action" if any player spoke to the press. Despite the warning, the captain insisted that a total overhaul is the only way forward.
"I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia," Butt said. "We need a foreign coach if we have to move forward. We have a good combination of players, but we need a foreign coach and good management."
The Prime Minister's office has promised "strict action" against any officials found responsible for the logistical failures that have sparked international embarrassment for the national sport.
With inputs from PTI