C. Java misses Olympics shuttlers

SEMARANG (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia Central Java chairman Soenjoto said three national shuttlers -- men's doubles Eng Hian, women's doubles Etty Tantri and mixed doubles Zelin Resiana -- were banned from competing in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June due to their intensive preparation for the Olympic Games in Sydney in September.

Central Java would only pin its hopes on non-Olympics qualified shuttlers for PON: Hariyanto Arbi, Budi Santoso, Johan Hadikusuma, Denny Kantono, Antonius Budi Irianto, Sigit Budiarto and Andreas Setiawan on the men's side and Cindana, Ellen Angelina, Liliana and Maria Henny on the women's side.

However, Soejoto was optimistic that without the three players, Central Java would still be able to grab gold. (har)