The International Hockey Federation (FIH) introduced the new tournament on Saturday, and the four-round, two-year event will serve as the qualifier for both the World Cup and the Olympic Games

"Our women will play against three other teams in the inaugural tournament, but we have yet to receive news on where the men will play," said Malaysian Hockey Confederation secretary Johari Aziz.

While the women, due to their World No 22 ranking, will play in the first round, the men received a first-round bye as they are ranked 13th.

"The women will play against Kazakhstan, Singapore and Sri Lanka in the league and should advance to the second round," said Johari.

Meanwhile, Johari confirmed new national chief coach Paul Revington has arrived in the country and will start work.

"We will finalise the paperwork in a week's time so that Revington can get to work as soon as possible," said Johari.

The South African, who last coached the Irish, will select his trainees after watching the Sept 1-Oct 10 Malaysia Hockey League, and the Razak Cup in Kuantan on Oct 14-21.

The national senior team have two assignments this year -- the FIH Champions Challenge 1 in Argentina on Nov 24-Dec 2 and the six-team Asian Champions Trophy in Doha on Dec 14-23.

Defending champions India will start favourites in Doha while the others in the tournament are Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, China and Japan.

The inaugural tournament was held in Ordos, Mongolia, last year where Malaysia took bronze.