Sarita Devi is a former world champion in the lightweight category. She has been awarded Arjuna Award by the government of India for her achievements in 2009. She is a mother of two year old son and sacrifice a lot to participate in an Asian Games after maternity. Asian Games 2014 in Incheon, South Korea will always be memorable for Indian boxer Sarita Devi as she has become victim of biased decision in the semi final match played between her and South Korea’s Boxer Park Jina on September 30th 2014.Controversial match comes in highlight when she denied to take bronze medal. It’s not a matter of medal; biased decision taken by judges not only humiliating her but also put her efforts, sacrifices in vain. World has seen on television and on you tube videos where Sarita Devi lost her Asian Games semifinal bout against South Korea’s Park Jina in a lightweight category with a score of 0-3 where she was more attacking than Park. We can clearly see on you tube videos that she punched more than her opponent in the semi final and in an attacking position in all the four rounds. Also I have noticed after the fourth round Park’s shows her body language as a “match winner” which clearly supports the match fixing allegations raised by her husband Thoiba Singh. Please click on the below link and take your own decision, who is a match winner?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=sJGYPS6xVxM

It’s been shocked to us when no Indian official was initially available to file a protest against the biased decision. She has to borrow$100 from journalist out of$500 to file an appeal. She has been representing India from last 14 years but no official was there to support her when she breakdown emotionally and at a time when she needed the most. This incident also raised a question on Indian official’s role; those are going along with sports person in an international tournament. Are they going abroad in a Nation interest or as a tourist? I have seen in a movie “Mary kom” biopic about five times World Boxing champion Indian boxer Mary Kom where officials are threatening the players to finish their career. This movie not only tells about Mary Kom struggles but also raised a question on Indian official’s curtness behavior against sports person.

At Asian Games Judgment of judges also comes into a scanner and its humiliating for the sprit of sportsmanship where the participants cannot raise their voice against the unfair decisions. New AIBA rules itself responsible for the biased decision. In a new rule one can not challenge the judge’s decision and it gives them an absolute power which is really unacceptable. Results are declaring after the bout instead of showing during the bout. To maintain the respect of the game AIBA has to re-consider these rules and should understand the efforts and sacrifice of players.

Apart from the international issues we have to look forward to find a solution for our domestic issues too. First we need to understand that there is no need of Politian’s in any sports authority. It should be governing by the retired sports person rather than any Politicians. We need people who can understand the requirements of sports, we need people who can find and polish real talent rather than demolishing them. Our government is funding sports authorities to find a talent, to encourage them, to polish them and to make them to compete in any world competition level. They are our assets and we have to regard them instead of insulting them. This Incident with Sarita Devi is a lesson for Indian officials and a right time to change their attitude towards any sports person.

I suggest PM Narendra Modi to start a campaign for corruption free sports too in India and provide a favorable environment and support to sports person for the benefit of Nation pride and sports. Sports authorities should be governing by sports person rather than any politician. When we are expecting medals from them, they can also expect cooperation from officials at the time when they needed the most. If you are seeing injustice and keep your mouth mum it’s also a kind of corruption i.e. Sarita Devi protest against the biased decision and whatever she did under the heart burning emotions is correct and shows her natural reaction which I can expect with anybody who is under the same scenario. However she has apologized for her “Emotional Behaviour” and there are chances that she might face disciplinary action from AIBA. Written By:-

Rohit Bhargava

Follow me on twitter @Rohitbhargava02

Visit: - https://www.rohitbhargava.weebly.com