Zarkasih quits post at Taekwondo body<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid has resigned from his post
\nof secretary-general of the Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI)
\nas of Aug. 1, saying he wanted to focus on his business.<\/p>\n
TI chairman Suharto appointed chief of student and college
\ndivision Adrian Lumowa to replace Zarkasih until new management
\ncould be set up in the national congress in 2001.<\/p>\n
Apart from the career reason, there has been an allegation
\nthat Zarkasih was involved in smuggling Indonesian workers
\nabroad. The workers were identified as athletes and sports
\nofficials competing in overseas tournaments. Zarkasih has refused
\nto comment on the matter.<\/p>\n
\"My resignation has nothing to do with it,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"For several months, I have been neglecting my work at an
\nattorney's office. Moreover, I have started a new business and it
\nneeds my full concentration. I'm not chasing big cash but I want
\nto sharpen my expertise,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Zarkasih said he would help out whenever TI asked him to.<\/p>\n
Adrian did not give a clear-cut explanation of the allegation,
\nbut he said the case was being handled by Suharto, who is also
\nthe inspector general at the Ministry of Defense.<\/p>\n
\"We know there is an allegation that illegal migrant workers
\nwere sent along with Indonesian contingents to the Inter-
\nUniversity Tae Kwon Do Championships. Our chairman has verified
\nthe allegation, and the secretary-general withdraw during this
\nprocess,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Adrian was referring to the Sixth World Tae Kwon Do Inter-
\nUniversity Championships in Kaohsiung, China Taipei, in March,
\nwhere he was the training director.<\/p>\n
He said every name submitted to participate in an event is
\napproved by the chairman and signed by the secretary-general.<\/p>\n
\"I can't tell you anything before Pak Suharto gives an
\nexplanation. I don't want to precede him,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Adrian also said that TI was notified by the National Sports
\nCouncil (KONI) about the allegation.<\/p>\n
KONI Secretary-General Rudolf S. Warouw said in June that he
\nwould clarify the allegation with the related institution. KONI
\nissues a confirmation letter to the immigration department, which
\nis approved by the office of the state minister of youth affairs
\nand sports, on the list of athletes to compete overseas. (ivy)<\/p>",
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