Asia Team C’ships will still be competitive without China

One for the album: (from left) RSM Sport managing director Venu Ramadass, Badminton Asia Confederation COO Saw Chit Boon, BAM secretary Datuk Kenny Goh, Mohd Khairuddin Othman and Mohd Nizam Marjugi posing for a photograph after the press conference. — ART CHEN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Favourites China have withdrawn from the Asia Team Championships but it will not take the shine off the tournament.

The competition, to be held from Feb 15-20 at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, will serve as a qualifier for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok in May.