VietNamNet Bridge – More than 200 male and nearly 100 women badminton players will compete in the International Ciputra Ha Noi-Viet Nam Challenge 2011 from March 29 to April 3.


HTML clipboard Smashing work: Young player Vu Thi Trang smashes in a singles match of the women's badminton at the Youth Olympics in Singapore last year, where she won a bronze medal. Trang will compete in the International Ciputra Ha Noi-Viet Nam Challenge 2011 from March 29 to April 3. — XINHUA/VNA Photo
Competitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Hongkong, Taipei Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Russia, South Africa and Nigeria will take part. Malaysia alone will send 62 athletes – and Taipei 38.


This year, badminton players are preparing for the qualifying round of the London Olympics in 2012 so participation will help athletes gain skills and experience and also help them gain points to secure Olympic places.


Nguyen Tien Minh, Viet Nam's top badminton star and world No 8,will not participate as he is on tour.


However, there will be a squad of talented Vietnamese youngsters, such as Pham Hoang Nam, Le Ha Anh, Vu Thi Trang and Thai Thi Hong Gam.


In preparation for the event, Ha Noi Badminton Federation has invited 60 domestic and nine international referees to run the tourney.


The draw will be conducted next Tuesday by the Asian Badminton Federation. It will be based on the latest ranking table of the World Badminton Federation.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News