The International Boxing Association (AIBA) Executive Committee Bureau on Tuesday decided to provisionally suspend L. Sarita Devi, her coaches (Messrs Gurbakhsh Singh Sandhu, Blas Iglesias Fernandez and Sagar Mal Dhayal) as well as Indian chef-de-mission in the Incheon Asian Games, Adille J. Sumariwalla (who were all present at the Games in Korea) and not to allow any of them to participate at all levels of AIBA competitions, events and meetings until further notice.
This case has been sent for review by the AIBA Disciplinary Commission, and it means that Sarita Devi, the above mentioned coaches as well as Sumariwalla, will not be allowed to participate in the AIBA women’s world boxing championships in Jeju Islands (Korea), 2014, said an AIBA release on Tuesday.
Sarita Devi, who had dominated her 60kg semifinals bout against Korean boxer Ji-Na Park, had reacted strongly after she was declared the loser. She had refused to accept the bronze medal, but later apologised to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which had given her a stern warning.
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Even though the AIBA had taken note of her written apology, it surprisingly decided to suspend not only the boxer but also other Indian officials as well.