Mumbai: The governing body of boxing, International Boxing Federation (AIBA), on Wednesday suspended India's Sarita Devi for indefinite period after she refused medal at the recently concluded Asain Games in South Korea.
AIBA announced Wednesday it was also barring coaches Gurbaksh Sandhu, Sagar Dhayal and Blax Iglesias Fernandes and India's chef de mission Adile Sumariwala from its events until further notice.
AIBA says the case has been sent to its disciplinary committee for review and the boxer and officials "will not be allowed to participate in the AIBA Women's World boxing championships" at Jeju, South Korea, later in the year.
Read: Sarita Devi breaks down on podium, refuses to accept medal
Jiji Thomson, the DG of Sports Authority of India, termed the decision as sad.
Jiji Thomson,DG SAI on Sarita Devi's suspension:Its very sad,will have to find out as to how we can revoke suspension pic.twitter.com/AQ3BoscojW
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 22, 2014Discussing the Sarita Devi suspension issue, former Sports Ministers, Ajay Maken and MS Gill stated.
MS Gill,Fmr Sports Min : International Body will suspend her as certain rules have to be followed,bt Ministry/officials must save her career
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 22, 2014The entire country should stand up with the Boxer and coach, Govt shud take it up to the highest level: Ajay Maken pic.twitter.com/lh4KutKn8x
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 22, 2014Distraught after losing her controversial semifinal bout, Indian boxer L Sarita Devi had stunned officials and spectators by refusing to accept the bronze medal.
Read: Felt I and India were insulted, says Sarita Devi
The lightweight (60kg) boxer was in disbelief when she lost against home favourite Jina Park, who ended up as the silver-medallist. Sarita was clearly the better of the two pugilists, however, the judges thought otherwise.
The Indian contigent then issued an appeal against the decision. However, they lost the appeal. While the boxer was hailed by many for her decision to protest on podium, her actions did not go down too well with the members of the Indian team at the Asian Games.
The organising committee of the Asian Games commented that Indian boxer L Sarita Devi's refusal to accept her bronze medal during the ceremony was "regretful and against the spirit of sportsmanship". The committee said the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will decide the matter now.
While Sarita Devi had issued an unconditional apology, the International Boxing Federation decided to punish the Indian boxer.
