PHF outgoing chief Bugti blames PSB for Pro League financial mismanagement

By Alam Zeb Safi
ISLAMABAD: Outgoing Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti said on Thursday he was resigning from his post after what he described as months of financial mismanagement and ‘delaying tactics’ by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that hit hard the national team’s journey in the Pro League.
“Our entry was made in Pro League after seven years. I think it’s a massive achievement. Now after six days our team has to proceed for World Cup qualifying round,” Bugti told a news conference.
He thanked Field Marshal Asim Muneer for assisting hockey at the grassroots and club levels and also acknowledged Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti for extending support.
“Now we have funds and our team will proceed to World Cup qualifiers,” he said.
Referring to the Pro League, Bugti said the federation was grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for allocating Rs25 crore for the event and releasing the funds to the PSB immediately.
“IPC Standing Committee had decided that they (PSB) are well organised and well managed and they can manage everything for us and for the hockey but it did not happen,” he said.
“Funds were with the PSB and they had pledged that they would organise it,” he said, adding that on October 30, 2025, PHF official Rana Mujahid had submitted the entire Pro League schedule to the PSB.
“Despite giving the entire schedule PSB failed to deliver,” Bugti said.
He said the team faced major issues during its Argentina tour after the hotel gave a 48-hour deadline for payment.
“We sent several emails to PSB and they failed to manage and pay to the hotels. PHF did not have enough funds to manage bookings,” he said.
Bugti said that on November 24 he sought help from the FIH president, informing him that the PHF would not be able to manage arrangements due to lack of funds and requested him that FIH should handle bookings and PHF will pay soon.
“After a month since return of team from Argentina we got that money and paid back to the world body. And we had to pay 3720 dollars still despite the fact that the team had returned from Australia. And we managed it from PHF own funds and gave it to FIH as they have helped us a lot,” he said.
He said similar issues arose ahead of the Australia tour.
“Emails were sent to the PSB on January 2 and January 13 requesting direct hotel payments after booking deadlines were communicated,” he said.
“After one day I myself went to PSB and requested it to ensure hotel bookings. They said that they are afraid of audit and it will take two months if they are to send money,” he said.
Bugti said the PSB handed the PHF a cheque on January 28, just days before the team was due to depart for Australia on February 5, stressing it was late.
“When our team flew out for Australia on February 5 there was no reservation and we were asked to deposit 70,000 dollars instead of 50,000 dollars and from where PHF could bring in 70,000 dollars,” he said.
He called on the prime minister and the army chief to form a committee to investigate the matter.
“If I am responsible so I am here. It’s not enough that I resign and go back as it is the matter of our country,” he said.
Referring to a committee mentioned by Rana Sanaullah, Bugti said it was a PSB body.
“The judge was their own and lawyer was their own and penalty was awarded. Team did not reach by then and decision came. The Prime Minister was also informed that it was the fault of the PHF. I understand that PSB is responsible for the mismanagement and the delaying tactics the Board used,” he said.
“It would have been good if Prime Minister conveyed a message to me. As I now have got a message I am going to resign from my post as PHF president.”
Bugti also alleged interference involving national team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt.
“And for getting their ulterior motives players were also used and the way captain Ammad Shakeel Butt threatened the players. After investigation we found calls and messages from top level people that the things were done and management has gone and players were threatened,” he said.
“And we banned Ammad Shakeel Butt for two years from playing in domestic and international hockey.”
Bugti said federations were being treated unfairly, with funds centralised at the PSB.
“A hefty amount of Rs280 million are blown away in the name of Quaid-e-Azam Games. We had hardly got Rs280 million in two years. Federations should stand on their own feet and they should not be beggars,” he said.
“The PHF should be given stadiums which could help generate revenue. And if all departments like marketing and media are established then I hope hockey will recover inside five to six years.”
He added that the PHF had already emailed the PSB regarding arrangements for upcoming tours to Belgium and England but had not received a response.
Bugti said neutral bodies should investigate how matters were leaked to Indian media.
“I have tried my best during the last two years and thanks God our team has progressed,” he said, adding that no other player was standing by Ammad Shakeel Butt.
Hours after the press conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved Bugti’s resignation and Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani was appointed as ad-hoc president of the PHF.
“As the newly appointed ad-hoc President of Pakistan Hockey Federation, I assure stakeholders of our commitment to revive and strengthen hockey in Pakistan. We’re stabilizing the organization, rebuilding trust, and revamping team management,” Wani said in a statement.
“Our short-term focus is on addressing pressing issues, while our medium-term plan aims to develop a strategic vision, enhance coaching and training, and foster institutional coordination,” he said.
“We’ll improve governance, ensure efficient resource management, and forge private sector partnerships to support our athletes. Players will focus on training and matches, while we handle the rest.”
“All institutions are aligned to bring back glory to our national sport. We’ll conduct elections for new leadership, ensuring a democratic transition, and I’ve immediately removed the ban on national team captain Hammad Butt. Transparency and fairness will guide our decisions. Thanks to the Honorable PM for the trust. Let’s work together to restore Pakistan’s hockey glory.”
Meanwhile Ammad Shakeel Butt’s ban has been lifted immediately after he was faced with two-year sanction by PHF on Wednesday.