Videos of Pakistani hockey players stranded outdoors without accommodation in Australia went viral but captain Ammad Butt had said that everything was fine. Now, he has said that he was forced to lie by the management in the name of India.
Pakistan’s hockey captain, Ammad Shakeel Butt, has slammed Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for its mismanagement after players were “left helpless” during their tour to Australia for the latest round of the FIH Pro League.
Videos of Pakistani players left stranded without accomodation in Australia were all over the internet a few days ago. However, Butt had clarified that the arrangements were fine. Now, back in Pakistan, the captain has said that he lied at that point to ensure his country was not defamed as the federation had told him that these videos were reaching India.
‘No one took responsibility’
Butt said that him and his team were left outdoors without any accomodation like “helpless people”.
“If I talk about the Australia tour, I will begin with the flights and hotel arrangements. After landing in Sydney, we were made to roam around near the Opera Street for 12 to 15 hours like helpless people. No one took responsibility for our team. There was no hotel arranged for us, and we were not given food on time,” he said.
He added that he was made to shut up on the mismanagement in the name of India.
“From Sydney, we then travelled to Hobart. Let me first clarify that whatever news reached Pakistan is completely true. The videos that were sent from my team and by me were real. However, we were told by our team management that the matter had reached India. When India was mentioned, I personally felt that this was about my country, and my country should not be defamed. So I made a video saying that everything was fine and no injustice was happening with the team. But in reality, that was not true. Whatever messages, videos, and reports came out are all true,” said Butt.
‘Management lied to us’
“The boys wake up and prepare their own breakfast. They wash dishes for two to three hours. They clean their bedrooms and toilets themselves. We have no proper rest time. The players have been mentally disturbed. How can we perform for Pakistan under such conditions?
“I don’t know whether the Sports Board is at fault or the Pakistan Hockey Federation is at fault. But one thing is certain — our team management has lied to us repeatedly,” said Butt.
“You asked who is responsible for the poor arrangements, poor accommodation, and poor food. I am holding the team management responsible. But I want to clarify that the Hockey Federation is also at fault. However, we do not directly communicate with the Federation; we communicate through team management,” he added.
Pakistan are at the bottom of the FIH Pro League standings with eight straight losses and no wins or draws.
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