Pakistan hockey was plunged into fresh turmoil this week after the government overturned a two-year ban on national captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, declaring the disciplinary action “illegal and unconstitutional.” The dramatic reversal, announced just a day after the suspension was imposed, has intensified scrutiny of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and exposed deep administrative fractures within the country’s national sport.
The ban had been handed down by then- PHF president Tariq Hussain Bugti, who accused Butt of bringing disrepute to Pakistan hockey after the captain publicly criticised the federation’s handling of the team’s recent tour of Australia. Within hours of imposing the punishment, Bugti resigned amid mounting backlash.
His successor, interim PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, swiftly nullified the decision. Appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Wani stated that the ban lacked constitutional and legal standing. “Transparency and fairness will guide all decisions under my tenure,” he said, signalling a reset in tone from the federation’s new leadership.
Pakistan Hockey Fallout at Australia Tour
The controversy stems from Pakistan’s troubled campaign in the FIH Pro League, where the national side endured both logistical chaos and competitive disappointment.
Despite the Pakistan Sports Board reportedly releasing Rs 10 million for accommodation, players were housed in Airbnb properties instead of the five-star hotel they had been promised. Players later alleged unpaid daily allowances and poor coordination throughout the tour.
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After returning home, Butt and several senior teammates spoke openly about the experience. The captain alleged that players were misled about accommodation plans, warned against speaking to the media and even made to “wash dishes and clean toilets” before matches. His remarks triggered a swift reaction from Bugti, who accused him of undermining the federation’s reputation.
Also Read: Pakistan Hockey Players Washed Dishes Before Match On Australia Tour, Alleges Captain
Crisis on and off the Field
While the administrative drama unfolded, Pakistan’s performance on the pitch compounded the sense of crisis. The team lost all eight of its Pro League matches against the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and Germany, finishing bottom of the nine-team standings.
For a nation that once dominated world hockey- winning four World Cups and three Olympic gold medals- the current decline is stark. Years of inconsistent governance, financial constraints and structural instability have eroded Pakistan’s competitive standing.
