The Asian Hockey Federation on Sunday announced the launch of the Asian Champions Trophy from 2008.
"The top six teams will take part in the event and the first three editions in 2008, 09 and 10 will be conducted in India," AHF Secretary General P Alagendra said.
The decision was taken at the AHF council meeting on the sidelines of the 7th Asia Cup hockey tournament here.
"The Asian Champions Trophy is another chance for Asian teams to play as they are not always invited for events in Europe," he said.
Alagendra also announced that a new and challenging tournament called the Asian Super Fours would be launched from 2009. The top four teams of the 2009 Asia Cup will play in the Asian Super Fours. From the four teams, the Asian all star team will be picked. The team will play against a team from another continent, three matches in Asia and three in the other continent.
Which continental team they would play against will be decided later. Also, the 2009 Asia Cup will be the qualifying tournament for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.
"The aim of the Asian Super Fours is because there are not many quality events in Asia, no recognition for good players and we also hope to raise finances to be used for the development of hockey," Alagendra said.
The Asian body also set up 12 committees, with the Indian Hockey Federation President KPS Gill being named the chairman of the disciplinary committee.
Indian Women's Hockey Federation President Vidya Stokes will be the chairperson of the women's development committee.
Gill, who was present at the media briefing, said: “India's relations with Pakistan are not strained since we bid for the Champions Trophy."
The IHF had recently announced that each goal scored would fetch the team Rs 1000, while each goal conceded would mean a deduction of Rs 2000.
Replying to a question, Gill said: "We will see the quality of goals and may decide not to cut any money."