New Delhi: Not only accommodation woes, Pakistan hockey team players had to do undergo the ordeal of doing kitchen chores before their FIH Pro League matches in Australia as well.
No wonder they slumped to defeats in all four matches during the tour, 3–2 and 3–0 to Australia and 5–2 and 6–1 against Germany.
A day before their 3-2 loss the players had to wait for 13-14 hours at Sydney airport before taking their flight to Canberra where they had to wander around the streets before accommodation could be arranged.
The state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had allocated over 10 million rupees to arrange accommodation for the team in Australia but yet there was no prior hotel booking due to absence of advance payment.
“What was pathetic was that even the Airbnb accommodation was arranged for 10 days when we had to stay for 13 days. We had to move into a cheaper residence after 10-days,” Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt said after landing at Lahore airport on Wednesday.
Lies, lies and more lies
Butt disclosed that players had to clean utensils before turning up for matches and that he has had enough of the lies Pakistan Hockey Federation has told them.
“Enough was enough. We can’t work with this current management of the federation. When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match what result do you expect from us?,” was his anger-filled query.
“I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia,” Butt said, without paying heed to PHF’s warning that players would face disciplinary action if they spoke to the media.
“We need a foreign coach if we have to move forward. We have a good combination of players but we need a foreign coach and good management,” he added.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PHF’s patron-in-chief, has ordered an inquiry into the events with a report being prepared by PSB, its director general Noor us Sabah has said.