Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt disclosed on Monday that the players have not received payment from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for the past six months.
The Men in Green fell short of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, facing a 3-2 defeat against New Zealand in the third/fourth place match of the qualifiers in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday.
In an Instagram post, Ammad expressed gratitude to fans for their support and highlighted the challenges players face without necessary facilities while pursuing their passion for the game. He mentioned, “Thanks everyone for supporting Pakistan hockey. Unfortunately, we couldn’t qualify for the Olympics, and this is heartbreaking for me, my team, and my nation as well.”
Ammad revealed that the players have not been paid for the last six months and have been playing without facilities, government support, sponsorship, media coverage, and a proper professional system. He emphasized that these challenges have persisted for the last 10 years, questioning how long they will have to endure such conditions.
Despite the difficulties, Ammad stressed that the players give their best for Pakistan and requested fair treatment, stating, “Hockey is our national game, so please treat us like national heroes.”
In conclusion, Ammad asked for support, expressing the team’s motivation to perform well for the country in the future. It’s important to note that this marks the third consecutive time Pakistan has failed to qualify for the Olympics, having previously missed out on Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
