Action in Sarita Devi Case only After Indian Olympic Association Report, Says Sports Minister
Sarita Devi on Wednesday refused to wear her bronze medal during the Asian Games ceremony. She had controversially lost in the semifinal against Korea's Ji-Na Park.
Three Union ministers on Wednesday came out in support of Sarita Devi as sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal sought a report from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on boxer's controversial loss against Korean boxer in the semi-final of the Asian Games in Incheon.
"We have sought a report from IOA on Sarita's case. Let them give a detailed report and we will take further steps," Sonowal told reporters.
However one of the prominent politicians of north-east and MoS (Home) Kiran Rijiju didn't mince words when he said that "Indian officials should have been more pro-active in lodging a protest to the Asian Games Organizing Committee, which might have made a difference."
"We are all sad as we all know that she won the bout," Rijiju said.
Former Army chief and MoS (North East Region Affairs) V K Singh said that boxing's scoring and point system has been mired in controversy for a long time now.
"We have seen the refereeing and judging in boxing has always been questioned. We have seen that Cuban boxers have protested in the Olympics. Our delegation there should have complained at the right time," said Singh.
However chef-de-mission Adile Sumariwala didn't support Sarita's behaviour as she felt that "AIBA won't take her behaviour very kindly".