Sports ministry appeals to AIBA to revoke boxer Sarita Devi's ban

NEW DELHI: Sports ministry has appealed to the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Wednesday to revoke the suspension imposed on Indian boxer Laishram Sarita Devi.
Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Indian government has sent a letter to the AIBA to reconsider its decision of suspending Sarita Devi.
"I would request you to consider the fact that Ms Sarita Devi comes from a very humble background and has risen in her sport due to her hard work, perseverance and talent.Her suspension has had a demoralising effect on other aspiring sportspersons who would like to emulate her example and achieve sporting excellence," Sonowal wrote in the letter.
READ ALSO:MP Sachin Tendulkar urges AIBA to go easy on Sarita
Citing the stern warning issued to Sarita by the Olympic Council of Asia, Sonowal said that she has been punished enough.
"Keeping in view all the factors and in the interest of promotion and development of boxing in India, I would urge you to take a very sympathetic view of the matter and take no further action against her beyond what has already been done by the OCA," he said.
Sarita is currently provisionally suspended by AIBA after her emotional outburst and her refusal to accept the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games medal ceremony.
Sarita Devi is facing a life ban for her protest in Incheon.
READ ALSO:Ensure no life ban on boxer Sarita Devi: Congress MP
Last week, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also met Sonowal to discuss Sarita's international ban, and said the entire country should stand behind the boxer.
"I appeal to the entire country to be behind Sarita Devi," Tendulkar said after the meeting.

Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal felicitated boxer L Sarita Devi during a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
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