Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (
Joined by Chi Cheng (紀政), CEO of the Kaohsiung Organizing Committee (KOC) for the World Games next year at a press conference, Chen shrugged off a report that said she had received Chi's resignation.
Chen said the city government invited Chi to lead the committee because she enjoys a good reputation in international sports circles.
PHOTO: CNA
She said that Deputy Kaohsiung Mayor Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) would assist Chi, a former Taiwanese track and field star, in handling the operations of the committee because Chi is unfamiliar with dealing with administrative affairs.
Chen was commenting on a report in the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times' sister newspaper) yesterday.
The story said Chi had submitted her resignation, in which she described the difficulties and dilemmas she had encountered since assuming office three months ago.
The report said that Chi suggested the city government assign an official to double as CEO of the committee.
The story also cited an unidentified source from the city government as saying that the biggest problem with Chi as CEO is that she "does not understand the government's administrative procedures," adding that she usually skipped the procedures and approved personnel reshuffles or procurement cases related based solely on her own opinions.
Chen, however, said that Chi had tendered a "document containing suggestions" to Chiu, in which she expressed her expectations for improving the city's preparations for the world games.
"Hosting the 2009 World Games is not just Kaohsiung City's business. It is also a major event for Taiwan. I hope the media and the public can be more supportive," Chen said.
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