Indian boxer Sarita Devi could face a long international ban for refusing to accept bronze medal on the podium at the Asian Games 2014 after the judge’s decision in the women’s (57-60)Kg semi-finals that went against her as she cried foul over Korean favourism. AIBA has opened disciplinary case against Sarita and will announce their decision at the end of Asian Games.
Sarita had lost a controversial lightweight bout against South Korean Ji Na Park. She broke down during the medal ceremony at Incheon and went on to slam Boxing India officials for ignoring her plight.
“The whole incident looked like a well planned scenario by her and her team, and it is regretful to watch a boxer refuse the medal regardless of what happened in the competition. In this regard, as the technical delegate, I had to request OCA to review this incident, so any boxer or athlete in other sports will not follow in her footsteps by disrespecting the spirit of fair-play and sportsmanship of the Olympic Movement,” said AIBA supervisor David B Francis.
“None of the officials who had come with me protested. I am happy that I have sacrificed for my country. I could not stop myself,” Sarita Devi told to Indian News Channel CNN-IBN.
Sarita’s husband Thoiba Singh told the same channel “This is very funny…..instead of punishing the officials they are trying to ban the boxer.”
“We had to collect $500 and submit it to the organising committee as a protest fee. This is totally unacceptable, Sarita has not disgraced the sports, she has done for the benefit of the sports.”, Thioba added.