Sarita's semi-final loss stirs controversy
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 30 2014 : It was an unpleasant sight at the 17th Asian Games 2014 for India, where ace boxer Sarita Devi (60kg) of Manipur had to settle for a bronze despite dominating her semifinal bout against local favourite Jina Park.

The 32-year-old boxer from Manipur dominated majority of the bout.

The judges, however, thought otherwise and declared the Korean as the winner.

The decision, which drew huge criticism, left Sarita Devi in a state of shock and she was seen weeping inconsolably.

Sarita's husband Thoiba Singh was heard screaming at the officials and he also got into a scuffle with security officials.

Post the controversial bout, an outraged Indian boxing contingent lodged a protest and demanded a review of the match.

The Indian boxing contingent lodged a protest after paying a USD 500 fee, which would not be refunded if the review upholds the original decision.

"A protest has been lodged against the decision," a member of the contingent told a news agency.

Speaking to media after the bout, Sarita Devi said that the decision was quite shocking for her.

"I am very upset.

I stayed away from my kid to prepare for this competition.

They ruined all my hard work in just a minute.

The controversies always stick with me and I don't know why I am punished," said the 32-year-old."When it comes to winning medals, we always come in the front for India.

Why didn't we protest.

There's a bias against us as we're from the North-east.

Are we not from India?" Sarita said.

An upset Sarita said: "All the training means nothing when such things happen.

Didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

We sacrifice so much, even time with our kids" .

Meanwhile, speaking to a leading news channel, five-time World Champion Mary Kom pitched in her support for her compatriot.

When asked whether the decision went in Park's favour because she was a Korean, Mary Kom said, "Of course, obviously.

One can understand if it was a difference or one or two points.

But it was a one-sided match" .

MC Mary Kom, who is the only Indian woman boxer to make a final in Incheon, was upset with the decision on Sarita Devi.

Mary, a five-time world champion and a bronze medallist in the 2012 London Olympics said: "She lost because her opponent was a Korean.

It's very sad" .

Thoiba Singh, Sarita's husband, too was clearly upset and he even said that the result of the bout was pre-decided.

"It was fixed! Everybody saw that bout, right from the beginning, Sarita was dominating till end.

Against the rule of the game, this is totally unacceptable," he said.

Thoiba further said that the decision had even left the Korean supporters disappointed.

"Everyone is upset, including the South Korean supporters.

It's totally unacceptable, it's totally unjustified, and in one word � uncivilised," he added.

The Indians lodged a complaint after Mongolia also filed a protest on similar grounds.

Both protests were eventually rejected by the Games jury.

Interestingly, the international boxing federation is controlled by South Koreans and India have just formed a new body after they were approved by the world association.

In recent times, Indian boxing has been gripped by power struggle.

Due to corruption charges, the original Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) was de-recognised by the Amateur International Boxing Federation.

Only recently, AIBA helped form a new body - Boxing India.

This enabled Indian boxers to compete under the tricolour in the Asian Games.

No Indian official was initially available to file a protest after the controversial fight, leaving Sarita's husband to write a letter.

He was joined by the team's coach, Sagar Dhaiya.

India paid the protest fee of USD 500, requesting that the bout be reviewed.

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