Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has refused to attend a luncheon hosted by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), citing a lack of proper travel allowance.

 

As per the details, the PSB had offered Butt only Rs5,600 for travelling to Islamabad, an amount he said was not enough to cover even basic expenses. “This amount barely covers the toll expenses,” Butt said while turning down the invitation.

 

The luncheon was arranged to honour national athletes from different sports. Other than Butt, six members of the hockey team, including Sufyan Khan, Rana Waheed, Abdullah, Muneeb ur Rehman and Hannan Shahid, were invited. Other top athletes like Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and Commonwealth Games gold-medalist weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt were also on the guest list.

 

The situation has raised concerns about the treatment of sporting heroes, especially after Pakistan’s spectacular display at the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia where the team reached the final after defeating giants, but lost 6-2 to a dominant New Zealand side.

 

New Zealand scored early and took a 5-0 lead by halftime. Pakistan’s Zikriya Hayat and Sufyan Khan managed to score in the second half but it was not enough to make a comeback.

 

Despite the loss, Pakistan’s performance throughout the tournament was seen as a positive step forward for the national hockey team.