Opinion Discredit where it’s due

Decorum demanded that Sarita Devi quietly accept her fate as a bronze medallist on the Incheon podium back in September. The propriety of the occasion — it was a semifinal of the Asian Games — demanded that the 28-year-old kowtow to a decision that has variously been described as partial, unfair and in some blunt quarters as “plainly ridiculous”. International sport’s officious protocol demanded that the Manipuri bite back her disappointment at being denied a chance to enter the final despite clearly landing more punches than her opponent.

But Sarita couldn’t help objecting to what she believed to be blatant bias. At worst, her whim to put her medal around the Korean’s neck on the podium can be called petulant and at best, her behaviour was overwrought. Either way, it certainly did not deserve the one-year ban imposed on her by AIBA, the world body. Korea’s seen worse, as when chairs were thrown at referees during a brawl after similarly contentious decisions at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and boxers and their supporters have gotten away with violent reactions for much less.

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In the whirl of Sarita’s tearful emotions and meltdown, what has stood out sorely, however, is the response of the Indian officials present at Incheon. The situation would not have escalated had deputy chef de mission Kuldeep Vats and IOA secretary general Rajiv Mehta bothered to pacify the boxer. Leaving Sarita in the lurch immediately after the bout, when emotions tend to be raw, Indian officials — who travel in great numbers always — shirked their responsibility of standing by their athlete. The game’s governing body in India dithered from putting up a defence till pressure built up with petitions taken to the sports minister. A year-long ban will not particularly harm Sarita’s chances of making it to Rio, but the backroom boys of boxing in India inspire no confidence that they can handle such a situation, should it arise again.