Members of the national side led by captain Imad Shakeel Butt held an emergency press briefing at the airport on their return, publicly raising alarm over the administrative handling of Pakistan hockey. The players said their confidence in the present setup has been severely shaken after a tour marked by substandard living arrangements and unresolved financial questions.
The team described a severe lack of proper accommodation, inadequate food and almost no basic facilities during the trip, saying they were kept in conditions unfit for professional athletes. These complaints have intensified calls from players for urgent reform in the way tours and player welfare are managed.
On financial matters, the players pointed to a worrying contradiction: the Pakistan Sports Board maintains that funds were released for the tour, while the Pakistan Hockey Federation has reportedly given a different account. This discrepancy has prompted demands for clarity and a full accounting of how money was allocated and spent.
Imad Shakeel Butt announced that the squad will refuse to work with the current team management, coaching staff, manager, administrative personnel and video analyst until a comprehensive and transparent investigation is completed. The decision reflects a collective loss of trust and a determination to seek accountability before returning to normal duties.
The players have called for the immediate imposition of an ad hoc setup in the Pakistan Hockey Federation and the formation of an independent, impartial inquiry committee to examine both administrative conduct and financial transactions. They want a complete audit of the release and expenditure of funds, identification of those responsible and legal action where warranted, as well as binding measures to ensure transparent planning for future foreign tours.
Framing their stance as an effort to protect a sport of national importance, the team stressed that Pakistan hockey cannot be allowed to suffer because of personal interests or mismanagement. They urged swift reforms to restore trust, safeguard player welfare and put the national game back on a path to revival.
