National women's champion Aparna Popat and Malaysian Lee Chong Wei were given top billing in the women's and men's section respectively in the Asian Satellite Badminton Championship, beginning in Jaipur on Wednesday.
According to Badminton Association of India secretary L C Gupta, as both Aparna and Lee are ranked 24th in the world they get the pride of place in the tournament.
Lee's compatriot Kay Bin Yeoh, ranked 35th in world, has been seeded two followed by Indian national champion Abhinn Shyam Gupta.
Thailand's Anupap Thiratsakul, who holds 64th position in the world, has been seeded fourth in the men's section.
In the women's section, Li Li of Singapore (world No. 41) is seeded second, followed by Salakjit Polsana (Thailand, World No. 45) and Xiao Lu Xi of Singapore (55), who is seeded fourth.
Malaysian team manager Mahijan B Mustafa said, "We have brought our back-up team as our top players are busy playing in other IBF tournaments."
He added that though the journey was tiring, his boys, including top seed Lee, are confident of a good showing.
Meanwhile, most of the foreign players and top Indian stars, including Abhinn, have arrived at the Pink City.
B R Meenakshi, who has injured her leg, is a doubtful starter.
The qualifying rounds will be held tomorrow while the main draw matches begin on Wednesday.
