Lahore — Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Shakeel Butt unloaded a barrage of complaints against the Pakistan Hockey Federation and team management Saturday, claiming players endured degrading conditions on their recent tour to Australia for the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 Hobart leg.

Butt addressed reporters at Lahore Airport, confirming earlier reports that the team struggled with hotel accommodations after the federation failed to pay bills. Players had no choice but to fend for themselves, he said. They cleaned toilets, washed kitchenware and even laundered their own uniforms before heading to matches.

“These are the boys who work strenuously for their country,” Butt said, according to Geo News. “How can restrictions be imposed on them? How can they play after cleaning toilets and washing kitchenware?”

He went further, alleging the management turned players into “mental patients” by limiting them to $115 each for food and nutrition. Team leaders also tried sowing division, Butt claimed, by asking each player privately whether they stood with the federation or the captain. The entire squad backed him, he insisted.

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

Noorish Sabah, director general of the Pakistan Sports Board, met the team at the airport and backed up key parts of Butt’s account. The PSB had arranged and paid for hotel bookings in Australia, she said, but the PHF canceled them. “The team management lied to us,” Sabah stated. “If food and accommodation are not up to standard, performance will inevitably suffer.”

Sabah placed full responsibility on the PHF for the players’ hardships. She promised a thorough inquiry report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and called the treatment of national athletes intolerable. Higher authorities must take notice, she urged.

Butt struck an optimistic note amid the uproar. He expressed faith in the team’s potential for the upcoming World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A foreign coach is essential to get them back on track, he stressed.

The allegations spotlight chronic issues in Pakistan hockey. The federation has faced criticism for years over funding shortfalls and poor planning. Players returned from Hobart empty-handed, with losses highlighting the impact of off-field chaos. Butt’s public stand could force reforms — or spark retaliation from PHF officials.

Sabah’s involvement signals government intervention. The PSB, which oversees national sports, has clashed with the PHF before. Her report to the prime minister might lead to suspensions or leadership changes. For now, players focus on recovery and preparation for future tournaments.