Sarita Devi: After protest, the ban

In a major retaliation, World boxing body suspends Sarita Devi for her actions at the Incheon Asiad.

Sarita Devi refused the medal on the podium during the Asian Games medal ceremony. (Source: AP)

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has provisionally suspended Sarita Devi for refusing to accept the bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games earlier this month. The AIBA also barred her from competing in the World Championships that will be held next month at the Jeju Islands. Along with Sarita, boxing coaches Gurbax Singh Sandhu, BI Fernandez, Sagar Mal Dayal and India’s chef de mission for the Asian Games Adille Sumariwalla too have been slapped with provisional suspensions by the AIBA.

Until the suspension is formally lifted, they will not be allowed to ‘compete in or attend any AIBA competition, events and meetings.’

“This case has been sent for review by the AIBA Disciplinary Commission, and it means that Mrs Laisham Sharita Devi (sic), the above mentioned coaches as well as Mr Adille H. Sumariwalla will not be allowed to participate in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships Jeju 2014,” AIBA said in a statement.

In an unprecedented move, Sarita had refused to accept her bronze medal after controversially losing her bout to South Korea’s Park Ji-na in the semifinals of the 57-60kg category. Instead, she draped the medal around Ji-na’s neck as she broke down on the podium during the ceremony.

Her actions were severely criticised by the AIBA, Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee. Sarita was later made to issue an unconditional apology. Even though the AIBA had taken note of her written apology, the international body decided to suspend the boxer and the national coaches.

WAITING TO REPLY

Sarita said that she is unaware of the development and will only act when she gets a formal word from AIBA. Sumariwalla, who had acted as a mediator during the fracas, too said he will wait for an official communication from the AIBA before making any comment.

Sandhu, meanwhile, was optimistic about the situation and said the matter will be resolved soon. “We have got the notice from AIBA and we have to reply to it in seven days’ time. We are preparing our reply and hopefully the matter will be resolved,” said Sandhu.

SAI to meet

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The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is also mulling legal options in case the matter has to be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The SAI has called for a meeting on Tuesday, where Sarita too is expected to be present.

The Indian Olympic Association continued to maintain its silence over the issue. Sports secretary Ajit Sharan, though, condemned AIBA’s decision and said suspending Sumariwalla was out of their jurisdiction.

“Adille Sumariwalla was the chef de mission and the Asian Games is an event organised by the OCA. So the AIBA can technically not take action against him. We will take up the issue via diplomatic channels and ensure no one, including Sarita and the coaches, are affected,” Sharan said.