Amid simmering tensions, Pakistan’s hockey squad departs for Egypt’s World Cup Qualifiers, openly defiant of PHF’s choice to resurrect banned coach Khwaja Junaid. Players, under Ammad Butt, clamored for Roelant Oltmans’ return; Wani’s interim regime balked, time too short they claimed.
Butt’s outreach to Mohsin Naqvi proved futile—the PCB head, now home minister, avoided the fray, citing PHF’s entrenched politics. Junaid’s 2023 lifetime ban followed a probe into Asia Cup 2022 shame: a 3-2 Japan loss after an illicit extra player nullified their tie goal, dooming qualification.
Pakistan’s pedigree—four World Cup crowns—clashes with recent dross. No-shows in 2014/2022, last place in 2010/2018 India events. Junaid’s stints? Trophy-less, shadowed by political patrons.
Canberra chaos fueled the fire: poor hotels, shortchanged allowances. Federation ‘arrangements’ reek of neglect. As they land in Egypt, discord dominates discourse. Will internal battles bolster or break their bid? Stakeholders ponder the path forward for a sport in steep decline.