Delhi, New Delhi:After returning from a tumultuous tour of Australia, where the team reportedly suffered from serious mismanagement, Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt has launched a forceful attack on the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Due to a lack of housing, Butt disclosed that the players were forced to "wash dishes before going to play a match" in addition to simply wandering the streets. He told the media at the Lahore Airport on Thursday morning that "enough was enough" and that the federation had been deceiving them.
"What outcome do you expect from us when players are required to wash dishes and clean the kitchen before a match?" "We cannot work with this current management of the federation." According to the news agency PTI, Butt asked. His irate comments demonstrated how deeply frustrated the team was after their upsetting overseas experience.
Amid a funding dispute, the Federation is under fire.Following confirmation by the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that it had disbursed over Rs 10 million to book hotel accommodations for the national team in Australia, the PHF has been subject to harsh criticism. Nevertheless, despite this funding, the players reportedly encountered a series of crises.
Refused hotel accommodations while stranded at Sydney AirportBefore boarding their subsequent flight to Canberra, the Pakistani hockey team had to wait at the Sydney Airport for 13 or 14 hours. The situation got worse when the team got to their hotel before their FIH Pro League games and was told there were no reservations because no money had been paid in advance. Before a different place to stay was found, the players ended up wandering the streets for hours.
Airbnb made a reservation for a shorter period of time than needed.They had to play their first game against Australia the following afternoon, and they lost 2-0. Pakistan lost every game in the Australia leg, including matches against Germany and the hosts. "Even the Airbnb lodging was set up for ten days, but we had to stay for thirteen, which was pitiful. After ten days, we were forced to relocate to a less expensive home," Butt said.
The government of Shehbaz Sharif orders an investigation.After Shehbaz Sharif ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, the Director-General of the Pakistan Sports Board, Noor us Sabah, informed the media that they were putting together a comprehensive report for him. Notably, Sharif serves as the Pakistan Hockey Federation's chief patron.
Players are cautioned not to speak up.Butt also revealed that the PHF had threatened to discipline players for speaking to the media. He stated, "I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia." In order for the team to advance, he added, a foreign coach was required. "If we must proceed, we require a foreign coach. We need a foreign coach and competent management, but we have a good group of players," Butt continued.