Pakistan Hockey Federation President Sends Resignation To PM Shahbaz Sharif: 'Urge Him To...'

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 15:31 IST

Pakistan Hockey Federation president Tariq Bugti resigns after the Australia tour fiasco as Shakeel Ammad Butt was banned for criticising his sports baord.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Bugti has resigned following the hotel fiasco during the national team’s troubled tour of Australia earlier this month.

Bugti confirmed on Thursday that he had sent his resignation to the patron-in-chief of PHF, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

“I have sent my resignation letter to the PM but I urge him and Field Marshal Asim Munir to conduct an impartial inquiry into the whole incident which took place in Australia during the FIH Pro League," Bugti said.

What Is The Pakistan Hockey Controversy?

The controversy began when a video surfaced on social media showing Pakistani players standing on the streets of Sydney with their luggage.

Shortly after the video went viral, Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt released another clip claiming that everything was fine and there were no problems with their stay.

However, a few days later upon returning, Butt criticised the PHF at a press conference in Lahore. He held the federation responsible for the mismanagement during the chaotic tour, claiming in another video that the team had to wander the streets due to a lack of accommodation and also “wash dishes before playing a match."

He also stated that nine players had not received their daily allowances from the PSB and PHF for the past year.

The players questioned why they had to suffer from logistical blunders in Australia, where the second phase of the FIH Pro League had concluded earlier this week, despite the government providing funds to the PHF for the team’s participation in all three phases of the league.

The criticism cost Butt dearly as Bugti imposed a two-year ban on the captain for his outburst, accusing him of bringing disrepute to Pakistan hockey.

Bugti’s resignation comes at a tumultuous time for Pakistan hockey, with the PHF and the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) blaming each other for the fiasco.

Bugti claimed that the PSB handled all the arrangements for the Australia tour and was responsible for the disaster.

However, when questioned about a cheque for more than one million rupees the PSB had sent to the PHF to cover hotel expenses, he refrained from answering.

Coach Wants Out Too

The Pakistan team’s head coach has also offered to resign, citing issues with player discipline, including Butt, who allegedly used abusive language against other players, impacting the team’s performance in the FIH Pro League.

Pakistan has lost all its eight matches so far and is placed last in the nine-team competition.

Pakistan will travel to Egypt in four months to participate in the final qualifying tournament for the World Cup.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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