Asian Games: Indian officials couldn't even pay $100 for Sarita Devi to lodge protest

Sarita Devi

Sarita Devi was beaten by South Korean Jina Park in controversial circumstances in the semifinal of the 57-60 kg lightweight category yesterday at the Asian Games. The Indian boxer appeared to be the clear winner of the bout, but somehow the judges ruled the decision against her.

However, Devi had the opportunity to appeal the decision. Every protest has to be filed within 30 minutes of the bout, and the Indian almost lost that opportunity due to the callousness of the Indian officials.

The lack of support offered to Devi by her own contingent is astounding. The officials actually refused to pay the $500 fee required to lodge the protest. Devi herself had to muster up the cash, but unfortunately she fell $100 short. One of the many crowd supporters who believed that the result was unfair, took the initiative to help the Indian out.

This is in stark contrast to the support received by Mary Kom, who is a far more popular boxing champion than Devi. When Kom won the gold medal in the 48-51 kg category earlier today, she was showered with congratulatory messages from all over.

“Where were these officials who are coming to congratulate Mary yesterday when I was looking for support. In the end none came. They watched me being humiliated from the VIP stands,” Devi said.

“These same officials vanished in thin air. I looked all around for someone who could give me $100 so that I could lodge a protest. I had $400 on me and was falling short by another $100 to register my protest. Someone in the crowd came forward and helped me,” she added.

“It’s another thing that my complaint was not entertained by the AIBA observer here, but I am bitter about the fact that for half-an-hour no one came to my rescue. Why do we have all these coaches and officials when no one comes to our rescue? The Mongolians made a big issue when their boxer lost to a Korean, but here I was left to fend for myself,” a frustrated Devi said.

Her fingers were rightly pointed at the Indian Boxing Federation for completely ignoring the boxer when she needed help the most.

“Dissolve the federation. The worst would be that we won’t be able to compete in international events. But, then, who wants to compete in the ring with such biased judges sitting on the sidelines who have been bribed,” she said.

The 29-year-old boxer refused her medal during the ceremony and could be suspended from boxing for that act of defiance. But she returns to India with a clear conscience and hopefully can achieve new heights in the future. “I have given the medal to Korea. I will go back to India with a clear mind and begin life in the ring afresh,” she said.