Indian athletes battle insensitive administration
Indian fans had reason to both celebrate and grieve over the developments in the boxing ring at the Incheon Asian Games. While the redoubtable Mary Kom came from behind to win the Gold, l Sarita Devi was declared defeated in the semi-finals even though it was evident to all but the referee that she had come on top. As if this was not bad enough, what followed thereafter has left a bitter taste in the mouth. A tearful Ms Devi later alleged that she found no support from the Indian contingent management following the injustice to her in the ring, and that she had to arrange the amount needed to challenge the decision which knocked her out of the race for Gold. She was so distraught that, at the podium, she refused to accept the Bronze medal and instead gifted it to her South Korean opponent. The sensational developments came as a bolt from the blue for the management and her colleagues, with the International Boxing Association threatening disciplinary action against her. While the Union Sports Ministry has asked for a detailed report from the Indian Olympic Association, there is no reason to question Ms Devi's grievance. After all, why would she level allegations against the officials who were present there, without any basisIJ From available material, she had not gone to the games with a grudge against the management. There are also reports that the IOA officials were rooted to their seats, twiddling their thumbs, while the disappointed and teary-eyed boxer was fighting for justice. It's not just Ms Devi or her husband, who had accompanied her, who accused the Indian officials of doing precious little about the humiliation. Even sports journalists present at the games have corroborated much of what the boxer has claimed. Of course, it can be argued whether Ms Devi did the right thing by not accepting the Bronze medal. After all, this does amount to indiscipline and reflects unfavourably on the sporting spirit of an athlete and the country. The International Boxing Association and the Union Ministry of Sports will no doubt take a call on the matter, but it is to be hoped that the boxer, already psychologically shattered, will not be put to further humiliation. It must be kept in mind that even her opponent and home favourite Park Ji-Na has conceded that the Indian should have been declared the winner. She said she was “embarrassed” by the result that declared her the winner. Surely the Indian officials who failed to come to her help, have more reasons to be embarrassed.
The incident has brought the spotlight back on the mismanagement that reigns in our sports administration, and raises the questions: Are our sports administrators there to promote sports and sportspersons, or are they there to protect their petty self-interests riding on the performance of our athletesIJ Why is it that on virtually every occasion during international events, Indian sports managers end up on the wrong side of accountabilityIJ Union Minister of State for North-East Affairs General VK Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiran Rijiju have questioned the conduct of the Indian officials. There needs to be a fair probe. A whitewash cannot be allowed, especially as this is not the first time that Indian athletes have had to face embarrassment on foreign soil.