Wani restores national hockey captain ahead of World Cup qualifiers

ISLAMABAD: Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and newly appointed ad-hoc president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, has revoked the suspension of national team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt amid controversy over the squad’s recent tour of Australia.

Wani took charge after the resignation of PHF president Tariq Bugti, which was accepted with immediate effect by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federation’s patron-in-chief. The prime minister also took notice of alleged administrative failures within the organisation.

The crisis escalated after videos circulated online showing national players staying in poor accommodation during the Australia tour. Butt publicly accused team officials and the federation of mismanagement and mental harassment.

Bugti had announced his resignation at a press conference a day earlier, blaming the Pakistan Sports Board for delays in releasing funds for travel and logistics related to the FIH Pro League. He said hotel payments in Australia were not made on time, creating serious difficulties for players and staff, and claimed officials had told him the process could take up to two months.

He also urged the prime minister and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir to constitute an inquiry committee. At the same briefing, Bugti imposed a two-year ban on Butt, alleging he had intimidated teammates and led a campaign against PHF management, while disciplinary proceedings were initiated over alleged misconduct.

Speaking to a local media outlet after assuming office, Wani said there was “very little time left” before the World Cup qualifying round and that the training camp would start “today or tomorrow”. He described his measures as short-term steps aimed at stabilising the team, adding that emergency initiatives had begun to revive the sport.

Wani said efforts were under way to rebuild trust, reorganise team management, upgrade coaching and training systems, and strengthen coordination among institutions. He urged players to concentrate on performance, assuring them that administrative matters would be handled by the federation with decisions based on transparency and merit.

Separately, Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, met the men’s hockey squad in Lahore and promised to address complaints about their treatment during the Pro League while pledging support ahead of the World Cup Qualifier in Egypt.

“We will accommodate hockey players in every possible way. We will extend complete cooperation to streamline hockey affairs,” Naqvi said.

He ordered immediate arrangements for air tickets, playing kits and hotel accommodation, directed officials to establish a training camp from Friday with preparations completed by Thursday night, and instructed that injured players receive prompt medical care under PCB supervision.

Naqvi also presented cheques of Rs1 million to each player following their runner-up finish in a recent national tournament, fulfilling a prior commitment. Writing on X, he clarified that he had no intention of heading the PHF, stating: “I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends.”