Hariyanto, Susi skip U.S. Open c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia has decided not to include Hariyanto Arbi and Susi Susanti in the team for the U.S. Open badminton championships in Atlanta.

Association secretary-general RAJ Gosal confirmed yesterday that world number one Hariyanto and Olympic gold medalist Susi will be rested and that the 20-strong Indonesian team will be comprised of less experienced players.

"Let Hariyanto and Susi take a break. There are still many young players who have to enrich their experience before filling the shoes of their seniors," Gosal said.

Susi has won two titles since her one-month lay-off after losing at the World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland in May. Hariyanto has failed to win any international titles since Lausanne. He skipped the Singapore Open last week in an effort to regain his form.

Gosal said both Hariyanto and Susi will focus on Asian tours in Thailand, China and Hong Kong before competing in the Grand Prix finals in December.

The Grand Prix badminton championships series, starting with the Asia Cup in June, is serving as the qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Organizing Committee is using the five-star U.S. Open as a test for world's biggest sporting extravaganza.

The U.S. Open will take place Aug. 9-13 at the Georgia State University indoor stadium, the badminton venue for the Summer Games in Atlanta.

Badminton is making its second appearance in the Olympics, with five gold medals in the offering. Indonesia swept all the singles titles in Barcelona in 1992. (amd)