Karachi, February 18 Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt has lashed out at the national federation after returning from a tumultuous tour of Australia, during which his team not only had to roam the streets due to a lack of accommodation but also "had to wash dishes before playing a match".
Butt told the media at the Lahore Airport early this morning that the Pakistan Hockey Federation had been misleading them and "enough was enough".
"We can't work with the current management of the federation. When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before playing a match, what results do you expect from us?" a furious Butt asked.
The PHF has faced severe criticism after the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed that it had given them more than 10 million rupees to arrange hotel accommodation for the national team in Australia.
The Pakistan hockey team had to wait for 13-14 hours at Sydney airport before their flight to Canberra. More disturbing reports emerged when the team checked into its hotel ahead of the FIH Pro League matches.
The players were told that they had no bookings since no advance payment had been made to the hotel management.
The players had to wait for hours and roam the streets before accommodation was arranged for them. The next afternoon, they had to play their first match against Australia, which the team lost 2-3. Pakistan lost all its matches during the Australia leg, losing to both the hosts and Germany.
"What was pathetic was that even Airbnb accommodation was arranged for 10 days, when we had to stay for 13 days. We had to move into a cheaper residence after 10 days," Butt said.
The PSB Director-General Noor us Sabah told the media that they were preparing a detailed report for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after he ordered an inquiry into the whole fiasco.
Sharif is the patron-in-chief of the PHF.
Butt disclosed that the PHF had warned the players of disciplinary action if they spoke to the media.
"I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia," he said.
"We need a foreign coach if we are to move forward. We have a good combination of players, but we need a foreign coach and good management," he added.
