Pakistan hockey tour controversy deepens as captain ranges critical costs

Pakistan nationwide hockey crew captain Ammad Shakeel Butt speaking to the media on the Lahore airport on February 17, 2026. — Geo Information/ScreengrabButt rejects stress claims, calls for reforms inside PHF.Says gamers denied correct amenities throughout Australia tour.Squad compelled to cook dinner, clear, handle meals independently.

Pakistan nationwide hockey crew captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has damaged his silence concerning the Australia tour, levelling critical allegations of mismanagement and psychological torture towards the crew administration and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). 

Talking to the media after arriving at Lahore airport, Butt confirmed that each one the disturbing experiences rising from Australia had been fully correct, stressing that they had been subjected to circumstances no skilled participant ought to endure.

Butt revealed that the gamers had been compelled to do menial labour, together with cleansing kitchens, washing dishes, washing their very own garments, and scrubbing washrooms earlier than heading to the sector. 

“These are the boys who work strenuously for the sake of their country. How can restrictions be imposed upon them? And, how can they play after cleaning toilets and washing kitchenware?” 

He alleged that the administration had turned the gamers into “mental patients”, including that the administration advised the gamers that they must cowl their three meals inside meagre 115 {dollars}. 

Butt additionally highlighted that what Tahir Zaman and others have stated was  “unfounded and a pack of lies”. “I am fully satisfied with the performance of my team,” he famous.

The captain expressed his frustration with the federation’s method, claiming that efforts had been made to divide the squad by asking gamers to decide on between the captain and the administration. 

“The federation asked every player separately if they are with the federation or the captain,” he burdened, including that the complete crew is standing by me.

“We were told not to speak to the media or face a ban,” Butt stated. “I do not accept the PHF’s code of conduct. I am under no pressure.”

“We know the wrongs committed against us,” he added.

Reacting to gamers’ grievances, Noorish Sabah, Director Basic of the Pakistan Sports activities Board (PSB), who confirmed up on the airport to obtain gamers,  confirmed that the PSB had organized and paid for lodge bookings in Australia, which had been subsequently cancelled by the PHF.

 Talking to the media on the airport, she burdened, “The team management lied to us.” “If food and accommodation are not up to standard, performance will inevitably suffer.” 

She clarified that whereas the board had taken steps to supply amenities to the gamers, the accountability for the fiasco lay with the federation. 

Sabah assured {that a} complete inquiry report can be dispatched to the Prime Minister, emphasising that such mistreatment of nationwide athletes wouldn’t be tolerated. 

The PSB official additionally demanded that the upper authorities take discover of the wrongs dedicated towards the gamers. 

Regardless of all of the chaos, Butt, nevertheless, maintained that the Pakistan squad had the potential to win the World Cup and Olympics, however burdened there was an pressing want for a international coach to rectify the crew’s trajectory.