Not much to choose between the two decisions : Suspended from boxing !
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: Ocotber 24, 2014 -
aishram Sarita - International Boxer - being welcomed at Imphal Airport on Oct 4 2014 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam
Difficult to say which of the two decisions must have come as the greater disappointment.
Not much to choose between the two and perhaps no one knows this better than L Sarita Devi, the lady who is central to the commentary and the observation here.
Enough has been said about the highly contentious manner in which the referee awarded the match to Ji-na Park in the semi-final of the 57-60 kgs women’s boxing at the Incheon Asian Games at the fag end of last month.
The protest was loud and clear.
The protest against the decision of the referee should leave no one in doubt of how it went down with the people who watched the boxing match and not without reason.
After clearly dominating over her rival, Sarita was however declared the loser and this gave birth to a new chapter in women’s boxing, with many questioning the conduct of not only the referee but also the manner in which the Asian Games was conducted.
On the day of the medal distribution day, L Sarita refused to accept the bronze medal and walked away empty handed from the podium.
The refusal of Sarita to accept the bronze medal did not end here for it opened up a number of questions on the method of how the points were awarded.
Bitter memories were recalled and from a show of extreme disappointment and disgust over the refereeing decision in boxing, it spilled over to how fair the host country was in conducting the games.
Not something recommended for the spirit of Asian Games.
With further action not being ruled out, Sarita had to roll back her decision and accept the bronze medal and issue an apology.
However the drama did not end there for the AIBA has now decided to suspend Sarita and her coaches as well as the chief de mission of India at the Games for some time.
This means that the boxer and the coaches as well as the chief de mission will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming women’s world boxing championship, scheduled to be held some time this year.
True the suspension is only for a limited period of time, but this does not guarantee that the career of the boxer and the coaches will not be harmed.
Sarita is already in her late 20s and the coaches too will not be placed in any better positions.
Unfortunate it is but what should be clear to all is the plain fact that the spirit of the game appears to be applicable only to the sportspersons and not to those who decide who is the winner and loser.
At least this is the message that has come out so far.
There is nothing as yet to suggest that the conduct of the referees who judged the semi-final bout between Sarita and Jina Park will be studied.
There is nothing to suggest that the referees here too will be pulled up if they are seen as doing something against the spirit of the game.
Unfortunate it is that only players are expected to stick by the spirit of the game.
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