Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, world No 1 in Badminton, will not play in the Yonex-Sunrise Viet Nam Open 2015 international championship. — Photo foxsportsasia.com

HCM CITY (VNS) — Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, world No 1 in Badminton, will not play in the Yonex-Sunrise Viet Nam Open 2015 international championship, the event's organisers announced at a press conference in HCM City yesterday.

"Lee will not take part in the competition because he needs some time to take care of his family", said Huynh Ngoc Lien, vice president of HCMC Badminton Federation.

The championship, scheduled to run from August 24 to 30 at Nguyen Du Gymnasium in HCM City, will see 347 athletes from 23 countries and territories compete on its courts.

Athletes will be able to gain points for a berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics at the event, therefore attracting some of the best players in the world. World No 13 Tommy Sugiarto from Indonesia; No 17 Lee Huyn Il from South Korea; and No 18 Xue Song of China will be on the schedule.

Four Vietnamese players - Nguyen Tien Minh, Pham Hong Nam, Vu Thi Trang and Nguyen Thi Sen – will also vie for points and prizes worth a total US$50.000.

Tickets for the qualifying round are priced at VND30,000 and 50,000 for the rest of the event. — VNS