India's Asian Games Chef-de-Mission Adille Sumariwala slammed the International Boxing Association on Monday for provisionally suspending him in Sarita Devi episode, saying that the boxing world body went beyond its "jurisdiction".
Sumariwala said he is unconcerned about the suspension handed out to him following boxer Sarita’s refusal to accept her bronze medal after the controversial semi-final defeat at the Incheon Asian Games.
"Who is AIBA to suspend me? I have gone to Incheon Asiad as head of Indian contingent. I had done my duty to help out a boxer in my contingent in my capacity as the head on my country's contingent," Sumariwala, also president of Athletics Federation of India and a former national sprint champion, said.
"The AIBA has no jurisdiction at all to issue a provisional suspension on me. It was uncalled for," he added.
Sumariwala wondered the rationale behind the AIBA's decision.
"I want to know my suspension from what, which event or competition. I am not taking part in any boxing competition as an official in future. So I am not concerned at all about this AIBA suspension. I have nothing to do with it," he said.
"I did not speak out earlier because that might have distracted the issue from India's efforts to revoke Sarita Devi's suspension. But now I have to speak out," he added.
He also said he will not file a reply to the AIBA as have by Sarita and three other boxing coaches.
"Why should I reply to AIBA? They have not charged me nor they had send anything to me informing about the so-called suspension. IOA is writing to International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia about this."
Image: Adille Sumariwalla
