Kampala, Apr 6 (IANS): Top players from the continent will miss this year's All Africa Individual Championship slated for April 21-23 in Pretoria, a senior official has said.

Simon Mugabi, a regional official of the Badminton Confederation of Africa, said here on Wednesday that Jacob Maliakal of South Africa and Uganda's top player Edwin Ekiring will miss the event, reports Xinhua news agency.

"It is unfortunate that we shall miss the top male players because they will be engaged in other events. We expect tough competition at the event which brings together top African players," Mugabi said.

He said the tournament will have other top players from South Africa, Egypt, Seychelles, Botswana, Zambia and Uganda.

Maliekal, who competed the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, is currently based in China where he is undergoing training.

Egypt's Hosny Hadia will be the top women's player to watch.

Egyptian players, Elgamal Adham Hatem, Salah Ahmed and El Khateeb Ali Ahmed will be the top challengers for the men's singles title.