Islamabad, February 18, 2026 – Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of serious mismanagement in Pakistan hockey following reports of a chaotic tour in Australia. The national team faced accommodation issues and was reportedly forced to wash dishes before matches.
Shakeel Ammad Butt, Pakistan hockey captain, criticized the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for failing to provide proper support. “We can’t work with this current management. Washing dishes before playing a match is unacceptable,” Butt said at Lahore Airport.
The state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed it had released over 10 million rupees to secure hotel accommodation, yet the players faced delays and uncertainty. The team reportedly waited 13–14 hours at Sydney Airport before continuing to Canberra, where they had no confirmed bookings.
PM Shehbaz Sharif, who also serves as patron-in-chief of PHF, instructed PSB Director-General Noor-us-Sabah to prepare a detailed report on the situation. The inquiry aims to identify the failures and recommend corrective measures to prevent future incidents.
The troubled tour affected team performance. Pakistan lost all matches in the Australia leg of the FIH Pro League, including games against Australia and Germany. Butt highlighted the mismatch in accommodation arrangements, stating that Airbnb bookings were made for only 10 days, while the team stayed 13 days.
The PHF has faced strong public and media criticism over the debacle. The PM’s involvement signals serious attention from the federal government to improve conditions for athletes and ensure proper management of sports federations.
Shakeel Butt said he defied PHF warnings not to speak to the media because of the severity of the situation. “I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia,” he added.
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The Prime Minister’s inquiry is expected to deliver findings soon, and officials stress that future international tours will require stricter oversight. The goal is to ensure Pakistan’s hockey players receive proper facilities and support to compete internationally.
