KUALA LUMPUR: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) have invited Malaysia to play in the inaugural men's Nations Cup, but its date "clashes" with the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
The Nations Cup will be held on Nov 28-Dec 4, while the Azlan Shah Cup has been scheduled for Nov 15-25.
"The aim of this new yearly event is to offer a top-level competition to the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League, and give the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season," said FIH CEO Thierry Weil.
The other invited teams for the Nations Cup, based on world rankings, are hosts South Africa, France, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Ireland and Pakistan.
Malaysia had also declined an invitation to play in the Pro League recently.
National men's team manager Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi said: "The Nations Cup kicks off three days after the end of the Azlan Shah Cup, and travelling to South Africa will take one day.
"Right now, I am not sure if Malaysia will accept the invitation or not. The national team management committee will forward their team preparation programme for the World Cup soon to MHC, and it (Nations Cup participation) will be finalised then."
Malaysia have an option to send their 2023 Junior World Cup trainees, together with senior players who do not make the Azlan Shah Cup squad, to the Nations Cup to get some quality matches.