KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The Asian badminton championship will open on March 28 in southern Malaysia, drawing players from China, Indonesia and South Korea, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said on Saturday.

    The championship would use the 21-point scoring system, the first time in an international event in Malaysia, and offer prize money totalling 125,000 US dollars, said BAM Secretary Ganga Rao.

    The contest will serve as the final major test for the players before the Thomas Cup finals in May in Japan, he said.

    According to BAM, 23 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the Championship to be held at City Stadium in Johor Baharu, capital of Malaysia's southern state of Johor. Enditem