Alan and Hariyanto off SEAG badminton team

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's badminton team won't take its eyes off the seven gold medals at stake at the 18th Southeast Asian Games, but it will lose the superb attacking games of Hariyanto Arbi and Alan Budikusuma.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) announced a puzzling team line-up for the Chiang Mai Games over the weekend, with both world champions and Olympic gold medalists missing from the list.

Indonesia's quest for a clean sweep, however, remains within reach as the 16-strong team is still comprised of the world's best. The men's squad parade Joko Suprianto, Ardy Wiranata, Hermawan Susanto, Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky and Antonius/Deny Kantono.

Susi Susanti will lead the women's team of Yuliani Sentosa, Mia Audina, Lili Tampi/Finarsih and Eliza/Zelin Resiana. The World Cup pair of Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur were also picked to lift the mixed doubles crown.

The association was tightlipped about the reasons for dropping Alan from the team. Alan won the Malaysia Open and reached the World Cup final this year.

As for "Jumping Jack" Hariyanto, the association said the world number one will be busy with a series of grand prix tournaments in China, Thailand, Hong Kong and grand prix finals in Singapore, starting from Nov. 8.

The upcoming tournaments will be crucial for world's shuttlers heading into the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The All England next March will be the last qualifying tournament for the Olympics.

PBSI chairman, Sumaryono, said that Joko has the best chance of retaining his gold medal in Chiang Mai, but Ardy and Hermawan could turn up the heat.

Sumaryono also said that the women's team, including the country's badminton queen Susi, Mia, Yuliani and the two doubles teams are also expected to grab all of the gold.

According to Sumaryono, Indonesia will announce the definite team line-up after arriving in Thailand.

""We are not afraid of our opponents. Our players will be better," he said.

He also said that exhausted players should not force themselves to play in individual matches. It will be better for them to save energy to play in the team matches.

Malaysia denied Indonesia an SEA Games clean sweep three times in a row in 1989, 1991 and 1993. Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang beat Ricky Subagja and Gunawan in Singapore to spoil Indonesia's last winning run. (icn)