Boxer Dilbag Singh summoned by IBF, others warned

Two of the three Indian boxers, who had alleged manipulation in the World Championship trials, were, on Saturday, let off with warnings by the National Federation even as the third was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee on September 30.

Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) Secretary General Rajesh Bhandari said Arjuna awardee Dinesh Kumar (91kg) and Praveen Kumar (+91kg) were merely warned after they tendered written apologies in reply to the showcause notices for accusing the selection committee of bias and manipulation.

However, former national champion Dilbag Singh (69kg), who has remained defiant, has been asked to appear before the disciplinary committee, comprising IBF vice-Presidents I D Nanavati and Mukharjee Nirwan, and chairman of the Ring Officials Commission Narottam Singh Rawat.

"Dinesh and Praveen have apologised. They have told us that whatever they said was a case of emotions taking over due to the disappointment of missing out and they won't repeat such statements in future," Bhandari said.

"Praveen, in fact, stated that he never made any allegations and merely stood next to the boxers who leveled the charges.

"Dilbag has been told to appear in person on September 30 and explain himself before the disciplinary committee. A decision on him will be taken after hearing him out," he added.

The boxers had alleged that they were unfairly left out of the national team, which was picked for the October 11 to 27 World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The boxers had alleged that the coaches and the selection committee during the August 26 to 28 trials in Patiala were compromised.

Asian Games silver-medallist Manpreet Singh (91kg), Asian Championships silver-medallist Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and reigning national champion Satish Kumar (+91kg) were the ones who were picked ahead of the disgruntled trio.

The complaining trio was beaten in exciting open trials in Patiala in front of a packed hall of fellow boxers and a selection panel, which included veterans like Mehtab Singh and Padam Bahadur Mal, besides Bhandari.

Dilbag, who has been caught in the dope net twice in his career, had gone to the extent of saying that Arjuna awardee Akhil Kumar, who has mentored Mandeep, was behind his name being struck off from the selected list.

Akhil has already stated that he would take Dilbag to court for defamation.