Fifty-two leading Vietnamese players and 169 others from 14 countries and territories will test their skills at the 2009 Ciputra Hanoi Vietnam Challenge from April 21-26.

Nguyen Tien Minh.

They will compete in men’s and women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles, said the organizers in Hanoi on April 17.

Vietnamese badminton champion Nguyen Tien Minh (21^st in the world men’s rankings) is expected to face tough competition from international rivals such as Andrew Smith (the UK, ranked 20^th in the world) and Hashim Myhammad Roslin (Malaysia, 57^th).

Female player Le Ngoc Nguyen Nhung will also play against strong rivals like Japan’s Imabeppu Kaori (ranked 30^th in the world).

Internationally recognized Vietnam Challenge has received much attention from Asia’s badminton federations. This year, it will pay out US$15,000 in prize money.

VietNamNet/VOV