Tag: Ammad Butt

Tariq Bugti has stepped down as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), while national men’s team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has been handed a two-year ban by the federation.

Bugti submitted his resignation to Shehbaz Sharif and defended his performance in a farewell statement, pointing to an improvement in Pakistan’s global standing.

“Our world ranking was 18th, and now it stands at 13th. This is our accomplishment,” he said, adding that he had “tried utmost for two years” to push the national team forward.

He also thanked the government for allocating Rs250 million to support hockey during his tenure.

“The Prime Minister allocated 250 million rupees for hockey and released the funds. I am primarily grateful to the Prime Minister for allowing me to serve for two years,” he added.

However, Bugti acknowledged persistent administrative hurdles, particularly during the national team’s recent tour of Australia.

He claimed the tour was marred by issues involving the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), stressing that the federation lacked sufficient independent funds to manage operations smoothly.

Despite stepping aside, Bugti expressed optimism about the team’s future in the upcoming qualifiers and revealed that the schedule had already been submitted to the Sports Board by Rana Mujahid.

“The team will perform well in the upcoming qualifying round,” he predicted.

He also called for a high-level inquiry into recent incidents of what he termed “privilege indiscipline,” urging authorities to ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.

The resignation comes amid fallout from viral videos during the FIH Pro League leg in Australia, which showed Pakistan players living in substandard accommodation due to logistical and financial complications.

Initial hotel bookings were reportedly cancelled over non-payment, forcing team management to arrange alternative lodging with the help of the local community, often with four to five players sharing a single room and bookings falling short of covering the full stay.

On the field, Pakistan endured a disappointing campaign, remaining winless in Australia with defeats against Australia (3-2, 3-0) and Germany (5-2, 6-1).

Looking ahead, Pakistan are scheduled to continue their FIH Pro League campaign with matches against Belgium on June 13 and 20, Spain on June 14, followed by high-profile clashes with arch-rivals India on June 23 and 26, and England on June 24 and 27.

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Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has turned down an invitation to a luncheon hosted by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), citing insufficient travel expenses provided by the board.

The PSB had allotted a meagre Rs 5600 for Butt’s travel to Islamabad for the event.

However, the skipper refused to attend, stating the amount was inadequate even to cover the basic travel costs.

“This amount barely covers the toll expenses,” Ammad remarked while declining the invitation.

The luncheon was organised to honour athletes from various disciplines, with six members of the national hockey team among those invited.

Other than Ammad Butt, hockey team members Sufyan Khan, Rana Waheed, Abdullah, Muneeb ur Rehman, and Hannan Shahid were also invited to the event.

Top athletes from other sports were also on the guest list, including Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and Commonwealth Games gold-medalist weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt.

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It is worth noting that the Pakistan hockey team recently returned from Malaysia after finishing as runners-up in the FIH Nations Cup, where they lost the final 6-2 to New Zealand.

New Zealand produced a clinical display to outclass Pakistan in the title clash. Despite having two early goals disallowed, the Black Sticks found the net in the sixth minute through a penalty corner conversion by Scott Cosslett.

Sam Hiha then doubled the lead just before the end of the first quarter.

The Kiwis turned up the heat in the second quarter, adding three more goals via Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay, and Scott Boyde to head into half-time with a commanding 5-0 lead.

Pakistan showed signs of a fightback in the third quarter, with Zikriya Hayat scoring their first goal. However, despite earning five penalty corners in that phase, they couldn’t convert further chances.

Cosslett struck again in the final quarter to make it 6-1 before Sufyan Khan pulled one back with a penalty corner conversion, but it was too little, too late.

New Zealand walked away with the FIH Nations Cup trophy, denying Pakistan a fairytale finish.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt delivered an emotional message following his team’s 6-2 defeat to New Zealand in the final of the FIH Nations Cup 2024, held at the National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

New Zealand produced a clinical display to outclass Pakistan in the title clash. Despite having two early goals disallowed, the Black Sticks found the net in the sixth minute through a penalty corner conversion by Scott Cosslett.

Sam Hiha then doubled the lead just before the end of the first quarter.

The Kiwis turned up the heat in the second quarter, adding three more goals via Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay, and Scott Boyde to head into half-time with a commanding 5-0 lead.

Pakistan showed signs of a fightback in the third quarter, with Zikriya Hayat scoring their first goal. However, despite earning five penalty corners in that phase, they couldn’t convert further chances.

Cosslett struck again in the final quarter to make it 6-1 before Sufyan Khan pulled one back with a penalty corner conversion, but it was too little, too late.

New Zealand walked away with the FIH Nations Cup trophy, denying Pakistan a fairytale finish.

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Following the match, Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt, took to Instagram and expressed immense pride in the team’s journey.

“We didn’t lose. We won hearts. We brought hockey back to life,” he wrote. “After 11 long years, reaching the final was not just a milestone — it was a message: Pakistan is rising again.”

“This silver medal is not a defeat. It’s a symbol of hope, belief, and revival. A reminder that we are moving forward, and the dream is alive.”

Ammad also emphasised that the final loss does not mark the end but a new beginning.

“Yes, the trophy slipped away today, but the fire within us burns brighter than ever. We are not far from the day we bring it home, InShaAllah,” he added.

“This is not the end. It is just the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan hockey. To the team — on and off the field — thank you for your heart, your unity, and your fight.”

He also thanked the nation for its support and prayers during the tournament, while stressing that the hockey team will keep fighting and giving their best.

“To the nation, your prayers and support kept us going. This moment belongs to all of us,” Ammad Butt stated.

“We will keep going. We will keep fighting. And we will fight till the very last breath. The journey continues. The dream lives on. Pakistan Zindabad.”

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan men’s hockey team captain Ammad Butt has called on the nation for prayers and support ahead of the FIH Nations Cup final against New Zealand, set to be played here on Saturday.

In a heartfelt video message, Ammad praised his team’s spirited semi-final performance and described their hard-fought victory over France as one to remember.

“The semi-final was memorable. And by the will of Almighty Allah, the way my team performed, I do not know in which words I should describe that,” said Butt.

The skipper took a moment to extend his congratulations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, acknowledging their support and contributions to the sport.

“I would like to congratulate Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, who contributed a lot to our success,” he added.

“And I congratulate the entire nation that stood behind us and prayed for our success.”

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With a spot in the FIH Pro League on the line, Ammad Butt made a passionate appeal to the public.

“I request the entire nation to pray for tomorrow’s match as well so that my team win the Nations Cup and dedicate this victory to Pakistan and qualify for the Pro League,” he concluded.

Pakistan booked their place in the final after edging past France 3-2 in a nerve-racking penalty shootout, following a 3-3 stalemate in regulation time.

Goalkeeper Muneeb Ur-Rehman emerged as the hero of the night, saving three crucial French attempts, while Rana Waheed Ashraf, Hannan Shahid, and Afraz converted their penalties.

For the unversed, the Pakistan hockey team qualified for the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Hockey Cup due to a superior goal difference compared to the host nation, Malaysia.

Malaysia secured a 2-1 victory over Japan on Wednesday; however, they were eliminated because Pakistan scored nine goals in their three matches, while Malaysia scored eight.

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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.

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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.”

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LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey faced a significant blow ahead of Azlan Shah Hockey Cup as two of its experienced players, Ammad Butt and Mubashar Ali, tendered their resignations, leaving the national team in a deep crisis.

According to the details, the team’s vice-captain Ammad and defender Mubashar sent their resignations, copies of which are available to ARY News, to the Pakistan Hockey Federation, stating their inability to continue with the team due to ‘family commitments’ and ‘personal reasons’.

The resignations are attributed to serious fissures that emerged within the ranks of the national hockey team with both the players suddenly deciding not to play in the current set-up.

It is pertinent to mention here that a training camp for the senior hockey players will commence on September 25 at Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium in Karachi, after which the national men’s hockey team will be formed.

Pakistan are set to participate in the Sultan Azlan Hockey Cup scheduled from November 1 to 10 in Malaysia.

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