Asia's biggest hockey event, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2016 will begin at Iphoh in Malaysia today. Seven hockey nations from around the world are set to participate in the tournament. The tournament will also celebrate its silver jubilee today. The annual event will conclude on 16th April. The 25th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will witness India, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan battling it out for the prestigious title. The event will serve as a barometer to measure the team's preparation for the Rio Olympics in August. India, Canada, New Zealand and Australia have already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics and they will use this tournament as practice ahead of the mega event. An 18-member India team led by Sardar Singh have picked a squad with many young players from the core group. Though India have won the title five times but they have their task cut out with teams like Australia and New Zealand as serious contenders for the title this year. India, ranked seventh, can win the title but they need to come up with an improved performance to clinch their sixth Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.