The Pakistan hockey fraternity is in uproar as the national team jets off to Egypt for World Cup Qualifiers, boycotting smiles over the PHF’s reinstatement of disgraced coach Khwaja Junaid. Despite a lifetime suspension in 2023, Junaid replaces the players’ preferred Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans, leaving captain Ammad Butt and his squad seething.
Interim PHF president Mohiuddin Wani heard the players’ grievances but urged them to rally behind Junaid, arguing time constraints ruled out Oltmans. Frustrated, Butt sought help from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, only to hit a wall—the politician skirted involvement amid PHF’s notorious political meddling.
Junaid’s dark past traces to the 2022 Asia Cup scandal. An inquiry pinned blame on him for the team’s shocking elimination after a 3-2 loss to Japan. A last-gasp goal was disallowed for fielding an extra player, turning a potential draw into defeat and shattering World Cup dreams.
Pakistan’s fall from grace is stark. Once four-time titans, they’ve floundered: absent from 2014 and 2022 World Cups, rock-bottom in 2010 and 2018 editions hosted by India. Junaid’s repeated tenures yielded zero major trophies, compounded by his political affiliations.
Recent woes amplified in Canberra, with gripes over shoddy hotels and meager per diems falling short of approved rates. Players feel betrayed by a federation prioritizing cronies over competence. As Egypt awaits, the team’s morale hangs by a thread. Will this powder keg explode, or ignite a comeback? The hockey world watches intently.