Pakistan hockey has been thrown into fresh turmoil after national team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt was handed a two-year ban for speaking publicly about mismanagement during the team’s recent tour of Australia, a controversy that also forced Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Bugti to resign.
The issue surfaced after Butt revealed the difficulties faced by players during the FIH Pro League tour. The squad reportedly landed in Sydney without proper hotel bookings and had to wait for hours before arranging accommodation on their own. Players were also forced to manage daily chores themselves, while pending payments and lack of financial clarity added to their stress.
Butt said the situation affected the team’s preparation and morale, raising concerns about how national players were being treated while representing the country. However, the PHF termed his statements a violation of discipline and imposed a two-year suspension, accusing him of bringing disrepute to the federation.
The decision triggered widespread criticism from former players, fans and the wider hockey community, many of whom said the captain had only highlighted genuine problems. As the backlash grew and questions were raised over administrative lapses, PHF president Tariq Bugti stepped down from his post. He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and called for an independent investigation into the entire episode.
The controversy has also led to a blame game between the PHF and the Pakistan Sports Board over the release and utilisation of funds for the tour, further exposing governance issues within the system.
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