The Czech Republic will be the top seeds after their win over Japan in the 2015 Pool-A ©Getty Images

Tomakomai has been announced as the host of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool, with teams looking to boost their chances of competing at Pyeongchang 2018.

The Japanese city is due to host the competition this year between November 28 and December 3, with four teams scheduled to take part.

In front of a home crowd, hosts Japan will be hopeful of success when they face the challenge of the Czech Republic, Britain and Slovakia.

As well as vying for promotion to Pool-A, the tournament will carry an additional significance as the top three teams will progress to the qualification event for the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

"I have no doubt that the Worlds B-Pool will be an excellent competition, as teams go for gold at the Hakuchou Oji Ice Arena," said Xavier Gonzalez, IPC chief executive.

"The Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games are also edging ever closer, and teams will be looking to put themselves in the best possible position to have a shot at qualification.

"We are grateful to the Japan Ice Sledge Hockey Association (JISHA) for organising this event.

"It will bring one of the most exciting spectacles to Japan, providing yet another opportunity for people to experience Para-sport ahead of an important period for the country and Asia in general with three editions of the Paralympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games looming."

The top three teams will progress to a Pyeongchang 2018 qualification tournament ©Getty Images
The top three teams will progress to a Pyeongchang 2018 qualification tournament ©Getty Images

The Japanese team will be expected to be a strong contender to win the pool, but will seek to gain revenge on the Czech Republic after their 5-1 loss in the Pool-A tournament in 2015, which took place in Buffalo, New York.

Both teams were relegated after finishing seventh and eighth respectively last year, but the Czech’s victory over Japan saw them achieve top seeding for the Pool-B event.

The competition will be played in a round robin format, with the first games scheduled to take place on November 29.

The medal matches have been scheduled to take place on December 3.

"We are honoured and proud to host the World Championship B Pool in Tomakomai city, Japan," said Kojin Nakakita, a JISHA official.

"Tomakomai is one big ice hockey town in Hokkaido where the entire city welcomes IPC Ice Sledge Hockey and all the participants from Czech Republic, Japan, Slovakia and Great Britain.

"The road to Pyeongchang starts from here, let’s enjoy playing and have a wonderful time in Tomakomai."