Pakistan Hockey Team Stranded in Australia After Hotel Bill Payment Fails
During the FIH Pro League tour in Australia, the Pakistan men’s hockey team was left without accommodation and stood on the streets for hours after their hotel booking was cancelled due to the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s failure to clear the bill.
Pratyaksha Singh 
Pakistan Team Faces Embarrassment Over Unpaid Hotel Bills
The Pakistan men’s hockey team was left in an awkward situation upon arrival in Canberra, Australia, for the second leg of the FIH Pro League, when its pre‑arranged hotel booking was cancelled after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) reportedly failed to make the necessary payment.
Stranded on Arrival
Players and officials were left without immediate accommodation, forcing them to wait on the streets for several hours after finding no booking in their names at the four‑star hotel they were told was arranged for them.
Delayed Contact and Makeshift Arrangements
Head coach Tahir Zaman struggled to contact officials back home due to time differences, while the lack of funds reportedly meant the hotel’s reservations were not honoured. Eventually, hotel management provided some rooms, but not enough for the whole squad, resulting in two to three players sharing a single room.
Impact on Performance
The team’s morale and preparation were seen to be affected, with Pakistan losing their next match against Australia in Hobart. The episode has drawn criticism and highlighted ongoing financial and organisational challenges facing the federation.
Recurring Issues
This is not the first time Pakistan hockey players have faced financial issues abroad — during an earlier leg of the Pro League in Argentina, players reportedly did not receive their daily allowances on time, underscoring deeper administrative concerns.
