Five foreign teams will compete in the Roofings International Badminton Open that is to start Friday at the Sharing Youth Center.

The tournament director Simon Mugabi was quoted by New Vision on Wednesday as confirming that Austria, Cameroon, Iran, Mauritius and Kenya will send competitors for the event.

"More countries would have come in but some have been locked out by the international body due to non-payment of their annual subscription," said Mugabi.

The draws for the International Badminton Federation (IBF) sanctioned event are expected to take place at Kampala Club on Wednesday.

The second edition of the annual competition has shifted from its traditional Lugogo Indoor stadium venue because the latter is to be refurbished soon.

Ugandan badminton star Edwin Ekiring will be among the favorites for the Africa's top ranked tournament.

"He has confirmed participation. He is coming and it will be good for the Ugandans to watch him play," said Mugabi. This will be the African top seed's first home tournament for a year.

Ekiring, the first badminton player to represent Uganda at the Olympic Games and a quarter-finalist in last year's event, will use the competition as a warm up for the All England Open next month.

The tournament has a cash prize of 5,000 U.S. dollars for the top performers. The eventual winners will also get 3,000 World Badminton Federation rank points.

(Shanghai Daily February 18, 2009)