Accommodation row rocks Pakistan hockey: Federation bans captain, then revokes after PHF chief resigns
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 20, 2026
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The Pakistan government has overturned a two-year ban imposed on national hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, calling the decision "illegal and unconstitutional." The ban was announced by Tariq Bugti, then-president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), shortly before he resigned amid significant fallout over mismanagement during the team's tour of Australia. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed interim PHF president Muhuydin Ahmed Wani to reverse the decision and address the damage done to the national hockey program.
The controversy began after the team returned from Australia, where they faced logistical nightmares despite receiving 10 million rupees for five-star hotel accommodations during FIH Pro League matches. Players were forced to stay in Airbnbs due to poor planning by the PHF and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). Butt and several senior players expressed frustration with the management, leading Bugti to ban Butt for bringing disrepute to Pakistan hockey. The captain accused the federation of forcing players to perform menial tasks like cleaning before matches, which they were already struggling to win.
The situation highlights deeper issues within Pakistan's sports governance. Players claimed they were not receiving daily allowances and faced financial neglect despite allocated funds. Bugti blamed the PSB for the mismanagement but ultimately resigned after Prime Minister Sharif accepted his resignation and appointed Wani as interim president alongside Brig Musratullah as Director-General of the PSB. Both will manage hockey affairs on an ad-hoc basis, aiming to repair trust within the team and improve performance.
Pakistan's hockey team has lost all eight Pro League matches against top-tier opponents like the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, and Germany, leaving them last in their group. The team is scheduled to travel to Egypt for World Cup qualifiers in four months. This latest scandal underscores the challenges faced by Pakistan's sports administration, which must address corruption and mismanagement to restore credibility and improve performance on the field.
The government's intervention signals a shift toward stronger oversight of sports governance, with Sharif emphasizing accountability and better management to ensure future success for Pakistan's athletes. The outcome of this situation will be closely watched by sports enthusiasts and policymakers alike, as it could set a precedent for addressing similar issues in
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026