Habibie asked to open karate c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Karate-Do (Inkado) asked President B.J. Habibie to open the World Karate Championship in Bali, scheduled for April 19 to April 23 next year.

World Shotokan black belt honorary council chief Surono and Inkado chairman E. Tando told Antara after meeting with Habibie at Merdeka Palace here on Thursday, that Indonesia was targeting gold in the championship in the men's kata and women's team kumite events.

However, the officials did not say whether they would ask the new president to open the event if Habibie failed to win November's presidential election. (ivy)