LAHORE: The prolonged turmoil surrounding the Pakistan national hockey team’s coaching setup has finally been resolved, with the squad set to depart Islamabad for Egypt on February 24 under the stewardship of newly appointed coaches.
Pakistan will compete in the World Cup Qualifiers in Egypt from March 1 to March 7, vying to secure a coveted spot at the Hockey World Cup for the first time in eight years.
Team captain Ammad Butt expressed his satisfaction over the resolution of the players’ grievances, lauding Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, as well as interim Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohyuddin Wani, for their decisive intervention. “They have shown a commitment to rectifying matters, and we are profoundly grateful,” Butt stated.
With the installation of a new coaching team, Butt observed a marked improvement in the squad’s morale and cohesion. “After a prolonged hiatus, Pakistan now has a golden opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. We are determined to give our utmost to bring pride and joy to the nation,” he asserted.
The team’s preparatory camp in Lahore is underway, with players undertaking intensive night training sessions throughout Ramazan from midnight until Sehri demonstrating unwavering discipline and dedication.
In his capacity as interim President, Wani affirmed that all squad members have been instructed to focus exclusively on training and preparation, with assurances of full logistical support and state-of-the-art facilities.
In Egypt, Pakistan will face Malaysia, Austria, and China. A semi-final berth will suffice to secure qualification for the Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium in the second week of August.
This breakthrough follows a period of tension between the squad and former management, which had cast a shadow over the team’s preparations.
On February 19, Hockey Federation chief Tariq Bugti resigned following a prime ministerial inquiry into the team’s tumultuous tour of Australia, during which players were reportedly forced to wash dishes and their own laundry under substandard conditions in Hobart, Tasmania.
Captain Butt publicly criticised the federation for the inadequate arrangements and recounted the challenges faced during the tour.
Bugti had initially imposed a two-year ban on Butt following a reported dispute with management; however, the ban was lifted by Wani, restoring stability and focus within the squad ahead of the critical qualifiers.
