KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27: Olympic champions Australia, Asian Games bronze medallists Pakistan and India have confirmed participation in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament to be held in Ipoh from May 5-13.

The tournament will revert to round robin format as seven countries will participate. Last year, annual event was played among eight countries, divided into two groups.

This year, Asian Games silver medallists China and Belgium will make their debut in the tournament.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation Secretary General, Datuk Dr S. S. Cheema, said World Cup winners Germany declined to participate as their players were engaged in domestic league.

“We understand that Dutch also have their domestic league at same time. We will wait and see before deciding on extending an invitation to another team,” he said. Argentina are likely to confirm participation as another team. — Agencies