New Delhi: International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Wednesday, banned boxer Sarita Devi for one year along with imposing a fine of 1000 CHF (Swiss Frank) for refusing to accept her medal, following a controversial semi-final loss in the Incheon Asian Games in October, 2014. India’s foreign coach BI Fernandez has been banned for two years while national coach GS Sandhu has been cleared.
Sarita’s Korean opponent Park Ji-Na was controversially adjudged the winner of her bout against Sarita, leaving the Indian boxer with a bronze medal. At the presentation ceremony, Sarita was in tears and refused to accept her bronze medal. While the entire nation backed Sarita, the world boxing body (AIBA) has come down heavily on her with a ban. She has already missed Women’s World Boxing Championship due to the indefinite ban that was initially imposed on her.
Earlier on December 10, Sarita had finally received her medal from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta.
A lot of efforts were being taken in India to back Sarita. Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar had met the Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and had urged the entire nation to back Sarita.
Sarita will be eligible to return to action by November 2015, in time for the women’s Olympic qualifiers for Rio Games in 2016.