Sarita Devi gets 2016 Rio Olympics lifeline

The AIBA imposed a one-year ban on the bronze medalist and fined her 1,000 Swiss francs. But despite the suspension, her dreams to take part in the Rio Olympics were very much alive as the two main qualifying events will take place only in 2016. “I am relieved. All this while, I was worried if I would be robbed of the opportunity to take part in the Olympics,” she said.

Along with her, AIBA’s disciplinary panel suspended India’s chief coach BI Fernandez for two years while her husband Thoiba Singh was banned from being present at the ringside for the same duration.

National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu, who was also provisionally suspended, was found not guilty of violating rules. “It’s a mixed feeling actually. Fernandez sir is suspended because of me. I hope his ban is overturned or reduced,” Sarita said.

Two months ago in Incheon, the 29-year-old boxer had taken the boxing federation head on with a strong protest. She had clearly dominated her semi-final against Park Ji-na but shockingly, the judge declared the South Korean as the winner. In complete disbelief, Sarita stayed put in the ring while her husband Thoiba launched an expletive-laden attack on the organisers. She later lodged an appeal but it was rejected by the organisers. The next day, Sarita refused to accept the medal during the ceremony, instead draping it around Ji-na’s neck.

Tendulkar’s role

Would you have done things differently, you ask her. “It happened in the heat of the moment. I would rather not talk about it now. There is so much more to look forward to, why look back now,” she said.

“What I would like to remember about the incident is the support entire country showed. Sachin Tendulkar’s words were inspiring. The intensity with which sports minister took up the issue with AIBA was encouraging. All that must have played a role.”

To a certain extent, it did. The AIBA had taken a dim view of her actions, indicating they would impose a life ban on her.

The sports ministry stepped in, urging AIBA to take a compassionate view. Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal wrote a letter to Wu, with his office following up constantly with the international federation. Tendulkar said on Wednesday that he too had written to the AIBA, requesting leniency. Boxing India, too, did its bit but the Indian Olympic Association and India’s representative in AIBA’s executive committee Kishan Narsi continued to maintain stoic silence.

The pressure exerted via the diplomatic channels seems to have had its desired impact. “I am personally thankful to AIBA President, AIBA CEO Ho Kim and disciplinary committee chairman for accepting the detailed explanations given by us,” Boxing India president Sandeep Jajodia said.

Sarita, who recently underwent a surgery on her right wrist, said she will take some time off the sport to recuperate and return to training in mid-2015 to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers. With no major tournaments lined up next, year she isn’t in a hurry to return to the ring.

“If anything, the ban period will increase my hunger for a medal. I have kept the Asian Games bronze in the centre of my trophy cabinet. It serves as an inspiration,” she said. “I’ll carry it with me for every tournament, every training session.”