Tariq Bugti Resigns As PHF President Amid Hockey Team Scandal

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Bugti has officially announced his resignation from the top post following the national team’s return from a challenging Pro League tour in Australia. The team faced consecutive defeats on the field, but the real crisis emerged off the pitch as details of poor player treatment surfaced. Bugti confirmed his decision during a press conference in Lahore, stating that he has already forwarded his resignation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for formal approval.

Severe Allegations By Captain

The resignation comes as a direct consequence of the administrative crisis highlighted by the national team captain. Upon arriving at the airport, Captain Ammad Butt leveled serious allegations against the federation, citing extreme mismanagement and a lack of basic facilities during their stay in Australia. He revealed that players were subjected to inadequate housing and insufficient food arrangements, which severely impacted their performance and mental well-being throughout the international tournament.

Public Outcry And PM Inquiry

Social media has been flooded with distressing images and videos of the national hockey players in Australia, showing them cooking their own meals and cleaning their quarters. Other visuals depicted the athletes sitting on the roadside with their luggage, waiting for transport. These scenes sparked a massive public outcry across Pakistan, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice. On February 17, the Prime Minister ordered a formal investigation to determine the causes of this administrative failure and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Blame Shift And Player Ban

During his final press conference, Tariq Bugti defended the federation’s core intentions while shifting the blame for the mismanagement onto the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). In a controversial move, Bugti also announced a two-year ban on Captain Ammad Butt from all domestic and international hockey activities. He urged the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal to form a high-level committee to conduct a transparent inquiry into the matter, insisting that the truth behind the logistical failures must be brought to light for the sake of the sport.