Delhi: Demonstration against injustice to boxer Sarita and felicitation to medal winner in the boxing event at the 17th Asian Games

New Delhi, October 3, 2014

Demonstration against injustice to boxer Sarita and felicitation to medal winner in the boxing event at the 17th Asian Games on October 3, 2014

A demonstration expressing solidarity to the courageous stand of the international boxer Laishram Sarita against injustice and condemning bribery and favouritism in sports was held today, 3rd October 2014, in front of the office of the Indian Olympic Association in New Delhi. In fact Sarita had dominated the semi-final bout against her South Korean opponent Jina Park, at the recently held 17th Asian Games, at Incheon in South Korea. But the judges had favoured the host country and had awarded the bout to her opponent. Sarita had applied for a protest but it was rejected on certain alleged technical grounds. The Indian officials had failed to help in her fight for justice. But Sarita continued with the protest and refused to accept the bronze medal awarded to her. During the medal ceremony she took the medal by the hands and hung it around the neck of Jina who have been awarded silver medal. The organisers took a dim view of Sarita’s action and initiated for a disciplinary action. Finally Sarita was forced to either accept the medal or face the consequence of some harsh disciplinary action. The issue of injustice, bribery or favouritism in the sports in general and irresponsible attitude of the Indian officials have been covered up.

Today’s demonstration was organised at a short notice by the Manipur Students Association Delhi. It was attended by about hundred persons, mostly students from Manipur. The demonstration raised the banner demanding ‘Justice to boxer Laishram Sarita: down with bribery and favouritism in sports’. Several placards were raised condemning bribery and favouritism during the boxing bout and lack of responsibility by the Indian officials. At the same time, two joint memorandums were submitted via the internet to the President of the Indian Olympic Association Mr. N. Ramachandran and the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. Hard copies of the same memorandums will be submitted to the respective offices tomorrow.

Demonstration against injustice to boxer Sarita and felicitation to medal winner in the boxing event at the 17th Asian Games on October 3, 2014

The joint memorandums demanded the Indian Olympic Association: (1) To tender an apology to the Indian contingents in general and Sarita in particular for having failed to assist her in the time of need; (2) To immediately institute an official inquiry to investigate the matter and to take up disciplinary action against those guilty Indian officials; (3) To take up immediate appropriate initiatives to defend Sarita from any disciplinary action by AIBA or OCA or any other organisations; (4) To take up immediate appropriate initiatives to internationally expose the injustice that was done to the Indian boxers at Incheon and to take up disciplinary action against those guilty officials.

The joint memorandums were endorsed by: Alana Golmei, General Secretary, Northeast Support Centre & Helpline; Angamba Moirangthem, President, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur; Anthony Moiranthem, President, Manipur Students Association, Pune; Dr. George T Haokip, General Secretary, Institute Alternative India; Dr. Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, President, Centre for Organisation Research & Education Manipur); Dr. Malem Ningthouja, Chairperson, Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur); Isan Chandam, Secretary General, Students League Manipur; Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur; Mr. Lc. Jinine, North East Human Rights Defenders Committee; Oinam Bijendro Singh, UCAL Badminton Association Delhi; Raju, Advisor, Manipuri Young Mind Association Delhi; Sapam Banipraksh, Vice-President, Manipur Students Association Delhi; Sarajuddin, President, Manipuri Students’ Federation; Somorendro Khangembam, General Secretary, European Manipuri Association, and; Taba Doni, President, Arunachal Students’ Union Delhi.

After the demonstration, MSAD organised a felicitation programme for Sarita and Mary Kom. While Sarita attended the programme, Mary Kom could not respond to the short notice, as she have been engaged with prior appointments elsewhere. The whole programmes of the day was successful because of the active role of the volunteers, sympathisers and the financial donations by Bhakta Kumar, Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur), Jiten Yumnam, Johnny Irengbam, Rahul L, Manipur Young Mind Association Delhi, Somorendro Khangembam and Students League Manipur.

Manipur Students’ Association Delhi 3rd October 2014

3rd September 2014
New Delhi
MEMORANDUM

To,

Shri. Sarbananda Sonowal
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the
Ministry of Skill Development,
Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports.
Room No. 401, C-Wing, Shastri Bhawan
New Delhi - 110001

To,

Mr. N. Ramachandran
The President,
The Indian Olympic Association
Olympic Bhawan, B-29, Qutab Institutional Area
New Delhi - 110 016

Subject:
(1) To tender an apology to the Indian contingents in general and Sarita in particular for having failed to assist her in the time of need.
(2) To immediately institute an official inquiry to investigate the matter and to take up disciplinary action against those guilty Indian officials.
(3) To take up immediate appropriate initiatives to defend Sarita from any disciplinary action by AIBA or OCA or any other organisations.
(4) To take up immediate appropriate initiatives to internationally expose the injustice that was done to the Indian boxers at Incheon and to take up disciplinary action against those guilty officials.

Honourable Sir,

We, the undersigned, would like to submit the subjects mentioned above for your kind consideration;

That, some controversies have emerged regarding the award of points by the judges during the boxing bouts that were held at the Seonhak Gymnasium, where the Indian boxing contingents had represented the republic of India at the 17th Asian Games 2014, held at Incheon in South Korea.

That, two different boxing bouts were played between Indian boxers and the boxers representing the Republic of Korea on Tuesday, 30th September 2014.(1) In the boxing bout number 143, women's light (57-60kg) semifinal, start time 11 a.m. (IST), played between Indian boxer Laishram Sarita (blue corner) and South Korean boxer Jina Park (red corner), the South Korean was judged winner by point (3:0).(2) In the boxing bout number 157, men's light fly (46-49kg) quarterfinal, start time around 4 p.m. (IST), played between Indian boxer Laishram Devendro (blue corner) and South Korean boxer Shin Jonghun (red corder), the South Korean was declared winner by point (3:0). Controversies emerged as the Indian contingents and spectators were disappointed on the charges of alleged unfairness by the judges in denying points to the Indian who had dominated the bouts.

That, the result of the above bouts, particularly the bout number 143 have disappointed many. Laishram Sarita appeared to be a clear winner in the bout. She had dominated the bout with such ferocity that her opponent Jina Park could barely manage to stand the assault. But much to the shock of many, the judges have awarded the bout to Jina Park. Several media have featured about Sarita crying for having been robbed in the ring by the biased judges. According to India's Cuban coach BI Fernandes, as reported in the media, “It (the judgment) was pre-decided, … Sarita was a clear-cut winner but money (bribery) has talked here … The fact that all the three judges gave it to the Korean clearly shows the result of the bout was decided before the start" Sarita’s fellow boxer MC Mary Kom also expressed her disappointment, "I am shocked and disappointed. Sarita was the clear winner. This (Sarita’s defeat) should not have happened."

That, Sarita had lodged a protest after paying a non-refundable USD 500 fee. However the protest have ended up without any positive result on various technical reasons, as cited by the media. What have become more disappointing in this regard have been the lack of timely response to the situation by the Indian officials. It appeared that unlike the Mongolian counterparts, who had responded immediately to fight against the similar controversial judgment, the Indian officials at the venue seemed to have lost somewhere. Their integrity, responsibility and accountability have become suspicious as they were nowhere at the right time to lodge a protest and for the money that was needed. Sarita and her supporters were left alone without adequate support, as if they were not representing the republic of India.

That, on Wednesday, 1st October 2014, during the medal ceremony Sarita cried bitterly against the alleged injustice by the judges and disqualification of her formal protest. Sarita continued her protest by refusing to wear the bronze medal. She took the medal by the hands and later on hung it around the neck of Jina Park, who have won the silver medal in the final bout. Sarita left the podium and the venue without the medal, which is now under the custody of the organisers. According to Sarita, as reported in the media, "When I went to the medal ceremony I broke down because I wanted to see the Indian national flag go up but when I saw it down, I couldn't control myself. It wasn't my medal. I didn't want to take the medal to India. I wanted to leave the sadness behind in South Korea." What Sarita had done appeared to be the only option to draw attention to the injustice done to Sarita. It was aimed at defending the integrity of sportsmanship and a free and fair world of sports.

That, the organisers at Incheon had taken a dim view of Sarita’s action. The supervisor and technical delegate of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) Mr. David B Francis had submitted a report to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) over her behaviour. Mr. Francis have been silent about the injustice and controversies; but more concern about taking up disciplinary action against Sarita on the ground that “any boxer or athlete in other sports will not follow in her footsteps by respecting the spirit of fair-play and sportsmanship of the Olympic Movement.” The AIBA had begun certain Disciplinary Action Process to review the case. The AIBA or OCA is likely to take up some actions against Sarita in order to cover up the unfair and injustice that have been done to the Indian boxers at Incheon.

That, the responsible authorities in India, particularly the Indian Olympic Association have not taken up prompt response at Incheon in order to assist the Indian boxing contingents, to encourage their moral and also to stand for justice and fairness in the world of sports. They have failed to adequately exhibit their integrity, responsibility and commitment.

We, the undersigned, therefore:
(a) Strongly express our disappointment with the turn of negative events that have been unfavourable to the integrity, commitment and contribution of boxer Sarita who have had exhibited the courage to raise for justice.
(b) Strongly condemn the dereliction of duty and irresponsible behaviour by the officials of the Indian Olympic Association who have been entrusted to deal with the matters concerning the Indian contingents representing India at the 17th Asian Games 2014.

We, therefore, demanded the Indian Olympic Association;
(1) To tender an apology to the Indian contingents in general and Sarita in particular for having failed to assist her in the time of need.
(2) To immediately institute an official inquiry to investigate the matter and to take up disciplinary action against those guilty Indian officials.
(3) To take up immediate appropriate initiatives to defend Sarita from any disciplinary action by AIBA or OCA or any other organisations.
(4) To take up immediate appropriate initiatives to internationally expose the injustice that was done to the Indian boxers at Incheon and to take up disciplinary action against those guilty officials.

Your kind cooperation and timely response to the public sentiment will be fully honoured and will contribute a lot to the world of sports.

Thanking you for your cooperation in anticipation.

Yours sincerely

Sl. No. Name Organisation / Profession Signature

1. Alana Golmei, General Secretary, Northeast Support Centre & Helpline
2. Angamba Moirangthem, President, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur
3. Anthony Moiranthem, President, Manipur Students Association, Pune
4. Dr. George T Haokip, Institute Alternative India
5. Dr. Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, President, Centre for Organisation Research & Education Manipur)
6. Dr. Malem Ningthouja Chairperson, Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
7. Isan Chandam, Secretary General, Students League Manipur.
8. Jiten Yumnam Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur
9. Mr. Lc. Jinine North East Human Rights Defenders Committee
10. Oinam Bijendro Singh UCAL Badminton Association Delhi
11. Raju Advisor, Manipuri Young Mind Association Delhi
12. Sapam Banipraksh Vice-President, Manipur Students Association Delhi
13. Sarajuddin, President, Manipuri Students’ Federation
14. Somorendro Khangembam General Secretary, European Manipuri Association
15. Taba Doni, President, Arunachal Students’ Union Delhi

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