Islamabad, June 24, 2025: Pakistan men’s hockey team captain Ammad Butt has reportedly turned down an invitation to a luncheon organized by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), citing insufficient travel allowance as the primary reason for missing the event.
The PSB had invited six players from the national hockey squad, including Butt, as part of an effort to acknowledge athletes from different sports following their recent international appearances. However, Ammad Butt chose not to participate in the Islamabad ceremony, explaining that the offered travel allowance — Rs. 5,600 — was barely enough to cover toll charges, let alone commuting and accommodation expenses.
“This amount hardly even covers toll fees,” the captain remarked when asked why he chose to skip the event.
The PSB gathering aimed to celebrate the country’s recent sporting milestones, with invitees including hockey players Sufyan Khan, Rana Waheed, Abdullah, Muneeb ur Rehman, and Hannan Shahid, along with well-known sports figures such as Arshad Nadeem and Nooh Dastgir Butt.
READ MORE: Unpaid Bills Leave Pakistan Hockey Federation in Financial Crisis
Butt’s absence has drawn attention to long-standing grievances athletes hold regarding the level of institutional backing and acknowledgment they receive — particularly for a side that impressed during the FIH Nations Cup. Pakistan reached the final in Malaysia despite unresolved dues but suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat to New Zealand, highlighting the evident gap with elite teams.
READ MORE: Pakistan to Face New Zealand in FIH Nations Cup Final Today
Despite that loss, the team’s spirited revival was lauded, and Butt remarked that their silver finish marked a new chapter in Pakistan hockey.
His rejection of the PSB’s invite underscores the gap between symbolic appreciation and genuine backing.
