Pakistan hockey team left stranded in Australia amid administrative failures ahead of FIH pro league

The Pakistan national hockey team faced severe logistical and administrative challenges during their tour of Australia for the FIH Pro League, raising serious concerns over player welfare and the handling of national sports teams abroad.

The team was scheduled to compete in the FIH Pro League, with their opening match against Australia set for 10 February. However, their travel plans were initially derailed after Australian visa applications were rejected, reportedly due to incorrectly completed forms submitted by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Following a delayed resubmission process and completion of biometric requirements, the squad finally departed for Australia on 5 February via Thai Airways.

Upon arriving in Sydney, the players were forced to endure a 12–13 hour layover before their connecting flight to Hobart. With the airport closed overnight, the team required accommodation and meals — yet no arrangements were made by PHF, leaving the players stranded late at night without food or rest.

In a distressing turn of events, one of the players contacted friends living in Sydney for help. These individuals traveled to the airport, provided meals, and briefly took the team to a public area near Sydney Harbour before returning them to the airport in the early morning to catch their onward flight.

The situation worsened upon arrival in Hobart, where the team was scheduled to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton. After waiting nearly three hours in the hotel lobby, the players were informed that their booking had been cancelled due to non-payment. Hotel management reportedly offered new reservations only at significantly higher rates, which the federation was unable to cover.

PHF officials later communicated that no funds were available to secure the team’s accommodation. Left with no alternative, the players and team staff were forced to arrange low-cost Airbnb lodging themselves to secure basic shelter and rest ahead of their international fixtures.

The incident has sparked outrage among fans, sports observers, and former athletes, who have criticized the federation for gross mismanagement and failing to uphold the dignity of national representatives.

“These players travelled not as tourists, but as ambassadors of Pakistan,” said a source close to the team. “It is humiliating that they had to rely on personal contacts and self-funded arrangements in a foreign country.”

The episode has not only demoralized players but has also damaged Pakistan’s international sporting image, prompting renewed calls for accountability, structural reform, and improved athlete welfare.

As Pakistan’s players prepare to step onto the field carrying the pride of the nation, many are asking why — off the field — they were left without support, security, or basic care.