Government writes to AIBA, seeks reversal on Sarita's ban

The government has written to AIBA to revoke the suspension of boxer Sarita Devi, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Sonowal, who along with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar were among many who had shown strong support for Sarita, said the government was pursuing the issue.

"From our side, we have been pursuing that matter before international forum. I have written to the President of AIBA to revoke the suspension order," Sonowal told reporters outside the Parliament.

Boxer Sarita Devi, who had refused to accept her Asian Games bronze medal, was today banned for one year by the world body AIBA, putting an end to the prolonged suspense over her fate following the controversial protest.

Sarita had refused to wear her bronze at the podium ceremony after her semifinal loss to South Korea's Ji Na Park at Incheon in October, triggering a huge controversy.

The boxer is barred from taking part in national and international events from October 1, 2014 to October, 2015 besides being fined 1000 Swiss francs.

Former Lok Sabha speaker and National People's Party MP P A Sangma condemned the ban on Sarita.

Image: Sarbananda Sonowal

Photograph: PIB