The 2016 edition of the competition saw China emerge as the winners of the women’s competition, having beaten Japan 3-2 in the final.

They will begin their title defence with group stage matches against Indonesia and Singapore, with their first tie set to take place against the former tomorrow.

Top seeds Japan have been drawn on the other half of the draw, with their group also containing India and Hong Kong.

Chinese Taipei, Maldives and South Korea will also go head-to-head, while hosts Malaysia are joined by Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam in the only four team group.

The top two nations in each group at the Stadium Sultan Abdul Halim will advance to the quarter-final stage.

China are the top seeds for the men’s competition, with Hong Kong and Singapore providing their challenge in the group stage.

Indonesia will begin their bid to defend their title when they take on India, Maldives and Philippines on the other half of the draw.

Japan, who fell to a 3-2 loss in the 2016 final, will face South Korea, Nepal and Kazakhstan in one of two four team groups.

Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand contest the final group.

The group stage will conclude on February 8, with quarter and semi-finals taking place the following two days.

Action will conclude on February 11.

The competition will act as a qualifier for the Thomas and Uber Cups, the biennial World Championships contested by men’s and women’s national teams.

Another qualifier will begin tomorrow in Hamilton, as New Zealand stage the Oceania Badminton Championships.

The hosts will compete against Australia, Fiji and Tahiti in men’s and women’s events, with teams playing in a round-robin format.

The group winners will earn qualification.

Singles and doubles competitions will also take place alongside the team event at the Eastlink Badminton Stadium.