Sarita Devi thanks Sachin Tendulkar, Boxing India and SAI for supporting her

 Pugilist Sarita Devi on Wednesday expressed happiness over International Boxing Association's (AIBA) decision of imposing a ban on her for just one year.

There had been speculation of a lifetime ban making rounds in the boxing circles. She also thanked Sachin Tendulkar, Boxing India (BI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) for supporting her during hard times.

"I am very happy, I would like to thank the sports ministry, Sachin Tendulkar, Boxing India, SAI and the entire nation for supporting me. Now that I will be able to participate in the Olympics, I want to practice hard and bring glory to the nation," Sarita Devi told ANI here. "I had hoped that AIBA would be less severe on me considering my conduct during last 10-15 years," she added.

Meanwhile, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said that all parties involved wanted to ensure justice for the pugilist. "We all wanted that she should get justice. The whole idea behind writing to AIBA was that for one mistake her career shouldn't be jeopardized," he stated.

Sarita Devi had been criticized for her actions at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, where she had rejected the bronze medal for perceived bias by the judges and had draped her medal around the silver medalist Park Jina. This had led AIBA to suspend the pugilist and her coaches indefinitely. Later, on the request of Sports Ministry and BI, AIBA imposed one year ban and a monetary fine on Sarita Devi.