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

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)