Fitria, Merani intend to take part in SEA Games<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (FORKI) gave
\nnational women's karatekas Fitria Mega and Merani Mega Sjaukat
\nfive days to reconsider their decision to leave the Institut
\nKarate Indonesia (Inkai) karate school.<\/p>\n
The athletes must reverse their decision if they wish to take
\npart in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
Both athletes met with FORKI secretary-general Hendardji on
\nThursday to discuss the possibility of their joining the national
\nteam.<\/p>\n
\"We were given two options by Pak Hendardji. The first is a
\none-year suspension from all events, including the SEA Games, and
\nthe second is rescinding our resignation letters so we can join
\nthe national team. We have been given five days to make a
\ndecision,\" Fitria said after the meeting at FORKI's office in
\nSenayan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Currently, FORKI has decided not to include both Fitria and
\nMerani -- who teamed up with Trimurti Wulandari to win the 1999
\nSEA Games kata team gold -- in the 2001 SEA Games squad list.<\/p>\n
The three karatekas also performed well in several
\ninternational events prior to the 1999 Games, including a second-
\nplace finish at the Asian Karate Federation (AKF) championships
\nin Singapore and a third-place finish at the World Ladies Cup in
\nTokyo.<\/p>\n
Fitria said she, her sister Merani and their four brothers --
\nM. Fachry Mega, M. Rafi Mega, M. Arif Mega and Nanda Mega --
\nsubmitted their resignation letters in July to protest Inkai's
\nactions during the selection for the 2000 Army Chief of Staff
\n(Kasad) Cup in Palembang, South Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Fitria was asked to replace Ria in the individual kata because
\nRia had failed to show up for the event. Fitria, who normally
\nonly performs in the kata team, agreed and qualified for the
\nevent.<\/p>\n
But the Inkai Jakarta chapter, which was responsible for the
\nselection, inserted Ria in the event after she showed up late.
\nFitria was upset and confronted Inkai, while Ria said she was
\nconsidering skipping the Cup.<\/p>\n
The dispute became personal as it also involved Fitria's
\nfamily and senior Inkai masters, who she refused to name.<\/p>\n
\"Father met with the senior masters and apologized for my
\nbehavior but he was insulted in return. They felt that they were
\nseniors and refused to acknowledge their faults,\" Fitria said.<\/p>\n
\"They hurt my pride and my family so we decided to leave from
\nthe school.\"<\/p>\n
Inkai chairman Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri tried to persuade the
\nathletes to remain at the school and promised to settle the
\nconflict. But he issued a decree on Dec. 26 confirming the
\nresignations.<\/p>\n
FORKI then named Endah Jubaedah, Iin Hasanah and Julianti
\nSyarifuddin to the SEA Games women's kata team. The three sisters
\nwon the 2000 Kasad Cup while Fitria, Merani and Wulandari
\nfinished in second.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the federation called on 21 karatekas, mostly
\nveterans, to take part in the Feb. 6 to Feb. 10 SEA Games
\nselection in Surabaya. Nineteen karatekas will then take part in
\na training program in the city until May 31. (ivy)<\/p>",
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