The hockey stars from Pakistan arrived Chandigarh early in the day, expressing their solidarity for
Indian hockey, and to participate in the Bridgestone World Series Hockey 
(WSH).
Former Pakistan skipper Zeeshan Ashraf and midfielder Adnan
Maqsood of Karnataka Lions crossed over from the Wagah
border, while star forward Rehan Butt, striker Shakeel Abbassi
and Waseem Ahmed flew into Delhi from Lahore earlier on
Wednesday.Mohammad Imran and Imran Warsi will also star
in the WHS.
"Bridgestone WSH is the first of its kind league to be held in the
history of hockey and we are thrilled to be participating in the
tournament," said Zeeshan Ashraf. "It's fantastic that hockey
can provide a great platform for forging friendship between India
and Pakistan. I hope our cricketers will also get to play together
in the IPL. 'Yeh silsila chalta rahna chahiye' (This association
should continue)," he added.
Earlier it was announced by the Pakistan Hockey Federation that
any Pakistani player participating in the league would be banned
immediately. But despite this Butt and Abbasi have decided to
take part in this league. Butt also requested the PHF to
reconsider its decision.
"Look this is the most we can earn in our long careers and I think we deserve this chance
because we have to keep in mind the welfare of our family," he said."I have played
international hockey for over a decade but I will earn more in this one league."
The Bridgestone World Series Hockey will be held from February 29 to April 2, 2012, and
will involve 200 leading players -- Indian and international -- who will showcase their
talent in 59 matches and vie for the biggest prize money hockey tournament in the world.
The 8 venues for the inaugural edition of the league are Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh,
Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune.
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