Sarita Devi will be severely punished, says AIBA

New Delhi: Indian boxer Sarita Devi will be severely punished for refusing to accept her medal at the 2014 Asian Games, head of the sport's governing body AIBA said on Wednesday.

AIBA president CK Wu, has stated that there will be severe punishment for Sarita Devi who had refused to accept her medal in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. It is likely that the commission will make its ruling very soon and forecast a strong penalty.

Wu has refused to accept Sarita Devi's apology and pointed out her behaviour as unacceptable.

Earlier in October, AIBA had suspended India boxer L Sarita Devi and her coaches for an indefinite period because of her Asian Games protest. Her coach GS Sandhu and Indian chef-de-mission AJ Sumariwalla also faced the brunt. AIBA had stated that it will not allow any of them to participate at all levels of various competitions, events and meetings until further notice.

This case has been sent for review by the AIBA Disciplinary Commission, and it means that Sarita Devi will not be allowed to participate in the AIBA women’s world boxing championships in Jeju Islands (Korea), 2014, said an AIBA release.

Sarita Devi, who had dominated her 60kg semifinals bout against South Korean boxer Ji-Na Park, had reacted strongly after she was declared the loser. She had refused to accept the bronze medal, but later apologised to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which had given her a stern warning.

Even though the AIBA had taken note of her written apology, it surprisingly decided to suspend not only the boxer but also other Indian officials.

Earlier on October 2, reports suggested that Sarita Devi was about to face suspension after refusing to accept her medal on the podium in the Incheon Asian Games 2014.