Pakistan Hockey Team Resolves Coaching Dispute Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers in Egypt
By Bilal Haider :
The ongoing controversy surrounding the coaching setup of the Pakistan national hockey team has been resolved, allowing the squad to depart for Egypt on February 24 under newly appointed coaches. The team will compete in the World Cup Qualifiers from March 1 to 7, aiming to secure a place in the Hockey World Cup for the first time in eight years.
Captain Ammad Butt expressed satisfaction over the resolution, commending efforts by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and interim Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohyuddin Wani for stabilising the team environment. “They are trying to improve matters, and we are grateful to them,” Butt stated.
The replacement of the previous coaching staff with a new management team has significantly improved the squad’s morale and cohesion. Butt described the current team environment as very positive and stressed the significance of the upcoming qualifiers: “After a long gap, Pakistan has this golden opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. We will make every effort to give happiness to the nation.”
The national squad is currently training in Lahore, holding late-night sessions from midnight to Sehri during Ramazan. Butt praised the players’ dedication, calling their commitment exemplary. Interim President Wani confirmed that all players have been instructed to fully focus on training, with complete facilities and support provided ahead of the qualifiers.
In Egypt, Pakistan will face Malaysia, Austria, and China. A spot in the semi-finals would guarantee qualification for the Hockey World Cup, scheduled for August in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The resolution follows a standoff between the national team and its management, which disrupted preparations earlier this month. On February 19, Hockey Federation chief Tariq Bugti resigned after Prime Minister ordered an inquiry into the team’s controversial tour of Australia, where players were reportedly forced to wash dishes and clothes at substandard accommodation in Hobart, Tasmania.
During the tour, Bugti imposed a two-year ban on Ammad Butt, following alleged disputes between the captain and management. The ban was lifted by Wani, paving the way for the team to focus on qualifying for the World Cup.
With the coaching issue resolved and preparations in full swing, Pakistan now looks forward to the qualifiers with renewed optimism, aiming to restore its status on the global hockey stage.
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