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KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has publicly voiced his frustration over the lack of financial support, revealing that players have yet to receive their daily allowances despite reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Cup.
The Green Shirts booked their place in the semi-finals after finishing second in Pool B and are set to face France on June 20. New Zealand and Korea will contest the other semi-final.
Speaking on behalf of his teammates, Ammad raised a heartfelt concern that mirrors the long-standing struggle of Pakistan’s national sport.
“Is there anyone who truly understands the struggles of Pakistan hockey?” Ammad questioned, drawing a stark comparison between the country’s cricket obsession and the declining fortunes of hockey.
“Do our politicians care about the national sport? Do ministers take an interest in the game that once brought Olympic gold to this country? Businessmen spend crores on cricket leagues, but when it comes to hockey, there’s no budget,” he lamented.
According to sources close to the team, the players have been in Malaysia for over 10 days without receiving their daily allowances, which are reportedly PKR 30,000 per day.
The issue goes beyond the current tour; the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has also yet to clear payments for two recent training camps.
Players had requested partial payments before departing for Malaysia to manage basic expenses, but that plea, too, went unanswered.
“As players, our hearts ache,” Ammad Butt added. “We are still on the field, still fighting for the flag, but we cannot do it alone.”
“It is time for everyone, including the government, ministers, businesses, and citizens, to come together and revive the spirit of Pakistan Hockey before it is too late.”
