The Pakistan national hockey team reportedly faced difficult living conditions while on tour in Australia, with players housed in a remote cabin featuring bunk beds and limited facilities. Viral footage showed athletes sharing cramped rooms on the outskirts of Hobart, over 90 minutes away from the main venue, highlighting challenges in accommodation and logistics.
The issues reportedly began in Canberra, where hotel reservations were allegedly cancelled after the Pakistan Hockey Federation failed to clear payments. Players were forced to arrange temporary, low-cost lodging themselves amid reports of a tour budget shortfall estimated at around Rs10 million.
According to sources, the federation initially covered seven days of accommodation in Hobart, but the facilities were basic and located far from the city. On the final day, athletes were required to vacate their rooms early, with videos showing them packing belongings ahead of a 10:00 am checkout while preparing for upcoming matches.
Local community members assisted in arranging alternative lodging and meals after the disruptions. Even after new bookings through online platforms, multiple players—sometimes four to five—shared a single room, and the accommodations did not cover the entire duration of the team’s stay, forcing them to adapt to challenging off-field conditions.
These logistical difficulties coincided with a tough run in the FIH Pro League, where Pakistan struggled to register wins during the Australian leg. The team suffered defeats against the hosts and Germany, losing matches 3–2, 3–0, 5–2, and 6–1, highlighting both competitive and operational challenges on the tour.
Despite these setbacks, the Pakistan squad is scheduled to resume its international campaign in Europe later this year. Upcoming fixtures include matches in Belgium and Spain in mid-June, followed by clashes against traditional rivals India and England, offering opportunities to recover form and build team cohesion ahead of major tournaments.
Also read: Pakistan Hockey’s Comeback Plan After The Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
