New Delhi: Boxing India on Tuesday hinted that Sarita Devi may get some sort of punishment from AIBA but said that it was hoping for her to escape a long-term ban from the international federation so that her career is not affected much and she can compete in 2016 Olympics.
Sarita was provisionally suspended by by the world body (AIBA) after she refused to accept her medal following a controversial semifinal loss in the Asian Games.
The AIBA is yet to take a final call on the quantum of Sarita’s punishment but Dr Wu has already made it clear that her career is “as good as over” despite tendering an unconditional apology for her actions.
“AIBA has been very firm on violation of rules from the very beginning and it takes serious view of disciplinary code violations. So, if you break rules, some actions will be taken against you,” BI Secretary General Jay Kowli said at a press conference here.
“Our endeavour has been to soften AIBA and urge for a liberal view taking into account the circumstances and human side of the emotional outburst of Sarita so that her long term career is not affected,” he said.
It is learnt that BI’s effort now would be to take action against Sarita’s husband Thoiba Singh and “private” coach Lenin Meitei as a “collateral” damage to save Sarita from a lengthy ban. Both Thoiba and Lenin have been served show cause notices by BI.
Sources also said that BI officials would take a strong view of the shoutings and ruckus created by Sarita’s husband and coach during the incident in Incheon, saying that these kind of actions were uncalled for.
Asked about this, BI President Sandeep Jajodia did not give a direct answer but said that they will take action if Thoiba and Lenin were found to be guilty of rule violation.
“We are giving a chance to Thoiba and Lenin to explain their side of the story. We have given them 30 days time to reply and there are 10-12 days left. I don’t want to jump the gun on something over which BI’s Disciplinary Committee will take a decision. But if found guilty, we will take action.
“Field of play is a place which boxers can only enter just like in other sports. So, we will see how they (Thoiba and Lenin) have entered there,” Jajodia said.
Sarita refused to comment on the likely action to be taken by BI on her husband and coach but said that she was confident that she would get back to boxing soon. (PTI)
