KUALA LUMPUR — Pakistan national hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt is on a mission to break stereotypes and promote unity in the sport by showing the world that Pakistanis are ready to collaborate with anyone, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.
At 29, Ammad is widely regarded as one of the best drag flickers globally, boasting an impressive 92% conversion rate.
He was recently appointed captain of the Matadors Hockey Club, which is set to make its debut in this year’s Malaysian Hockey League (MHL). The club features eight Pakistani players, including Ammad.
Alongside Ammad, the Matadors team includes Abdul Hannan Shahid, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Zikriya Hayat, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Usama Bashir, Abdul Mannan, and Rana Muhammad Waleed Ashraf, all of whom have represented Pakistan at various levels, including the Junior World Cup and senior team.
The team will be managed by businessman Sarwan Singh and coached by K. Yogeswaran, who previously led Perak to three consecutive Razak Cup victories from 2020 to 2022.
In addition to its Pakistani players, the Matadors have signed two Indian national team members, enhancing the team’s international presence.
The squad also includes a mix of Malaysian Indian and Punjabi players, aged 15 to 21, along with experienced athletes from various MHL teams.
Speaking to Scoop, Ammad emphasised his responsibility to keep politics out of sport. He sees his role as vital in guiding young Malaysian players to success, both on and off the turf.
“Pakistanis are often stereotyped as problematic and viewed negatively, especially in relation to India due to politics, but as athletes, we are not bound by these issues. We are here to compete and work with anyone for the betterment of the game,” Ammad explained.
“At Matadors, we have players from different backgrounds, and I see no problem working together with them. In my career, I’ve played in leagues around the world—in England, the United States, China, Oman, and Argentina—alongside players from various cultures and backgrounds.”
Ammad aims to inspire young players and help them achieve their dreams.
“I have a bigger responsibility to train them and teach them everything I know so that one day they can play for Malaysia,” he said.
He also expressed his goal of leading the team to a top-four finish in this year’s MHL, which would set the stage for even greater success in future tournaments.
Ammad, with 142 appearances for Pakistan’s national team, is focused on enhancing his team’s performance based on his experience from this year’s MHL.
“Since Pakistan’s league has been absent for over two years, we have been forced to play in other leagues abroad to gain as much experience as possible.
“We hope to use this experience to bring to our national team and start performing well in tournaments like the Nations Cup, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and several others this year,” he added.
Previously Scoop reported that the Pakistan Hockey Federation is working on plans to revive the Pakistan Hockey Super League (PHSL) by mid-year in collaboration with some private sectors in the country.
The PHF, led by Tariq Masoori Bugti of the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has faced financial challenges.
Last year, it received just 25 million Rupees (RM 430,822) from the government, a sharp decline from the Rs100 million to Rs300 million annually the PHF used to receive before the 2022 change in government leadership.
It used to have six competing teams, such as Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. — January 16, 2025
