The president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Tariq Bugti, has resigned from his post after Australia controversary.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Tariq Bugti stated that he has submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister and has imposed a two-year ban on captain Imad Butt.
He said that Butt will not be able to participate in domestic or international hockey during the ban.
Bugti alleged that while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif released PKR250 million for hockey the funds for the Pro League were with the Pakistan Sports Board which failed to manage the arrangements properly.
He said that the Hockey Federation did not have enough funds to fully manage the Australia tour. The PSB did not pay the hotel booking charges on time citing that it would take two months.
Bugti has requested that the Prime Minister and Field Marshal form a committee to investigate the mismanagement incidents that occurred with the hockey team in Australia.
He also highlighted the positive progress in Pakistani hockey after six years the Pro League resumed and the world ranking improved from 18 to 13.
Bugti praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for promoting hockey and acknowledged the support of Sarfaraz Bugti the Chief Minister of Balochistan.
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to remove the current management of the national hockey team, sources said a day earlier.
According to details the prime minister also decided to remove Tariq Bugti from his position as president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
The decision reportedly includes the removal of the federation’s secretary general Rana Mujahid along with the existing team management.
Sources said the move was taken in light of serious financial irregularities and poor arrangements for players’ accommodation during the team’s tour of Australia.
For the new hockey federation setup the names of former Olympian Samiullah Khan ex-international Shahnaz Sheikh and Rashid Hasan are under consideration, sources added.
The decision is seen as part of broader efforts to reform Pakistan hockey and restore discipline and professionalism within the sport.
Also read: PM Shehbaz sacks hockey management after mistreatments of players in Australia
