Nine countries to compete at badminton tournament in Laos

VIENTIANE, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Badminton teams from nine countries are set to compete at the Lao International Series 2017 in Lao capital Vientiane from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5.

The Lao-Thai Gymnasium Indoor Stadium will host 210 badminton players from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar, with Laos entering 10 men and six women in the International Series.

The International Series 2017 will comprise men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles, reported Lao state-run media Vientiane Times on Tuesday.

Secretary General of the Lao Badminton Federation Somsaveng Sengsilavong said the home team would be made up of young players and others who gained experience at the recent 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and expected the tournament would greatly assist their development.

"Badminton teams from several countries are expected to blood new players during the event in the hope of collecting points so they will have the opportunity to compete at other bigger international events in the future," Somsaveng said.