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After promising to 'help' L Sarita Devi, Boxing India chucks her out from camp

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Three days after the Union sports ministry asked the newly-formed Boxing India (BI) to work towards the revocation of the provisional suspension imposed by AIBA on L Sarita Devi and ringside coaches Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu, BI Fernandes and Sagar Mal Dhayal, the parties find themselves out of the preparatory camp for the Women's World Boxing Championship under way at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the Capital.

The reason is simple: knowing well that the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) could put BI again under suspension, both Devi and Dhayal have been politely asked to cool their heels at home till the time the matter is sorted out.

The Women's World Boxing Championships will be held in Jeju Island, South Korea, from November 13 to 25.

dna has reliably learnt that Devi came with her husband (C Thoiba Singh) for the camp a couple of days ago. But what happened next is not known as she went back to Manipur the very next day on the pretext of taking rest. "She can't participate in the world meet because of an AIBA ban. So, we thought of taking some rest," was how Devi's husband responded on Wednesday.

Devi has been provisionally suspended for refusing to accept her bronze medal owing to a controversial semifinal loss at the Incheon Asian Games.

However, a BI official told dna on condition of anonymity that "both of them have been requested to not attend the camp because of AIBA's threat". "Both Devi and Dhayal are serving an indefinite ban. They cannot be allowed to attend the camp as the AIBA has already rejected their registration for the world meet. They are not allowed to participate at any level of AIBA competitions and meetings until further notice. We don't want to face the ire of the world body. This could affect the participation of other boxers," the official said.

The other coaches — Sandhu and Fernandes — have not come into the picture so far simply because they are associated with the men's team.

It was on the sport ministry's insistence that the Indian Olympic Association and BI were instructed to chart out the future course of action. At the meeting, sports secretary Ajit Sharan asked BI to prepare the replies of the boxer and the coaches and ensure that the suspension gets revoked.

"We've filed our reply to BI and are now hoping that Devi's suspension will be lifted soon. She is taking rest but will resume practice soon," her husband said.

However, a senior ministry official told dna there are other options available before the government in case AIBA refuses to hear India's plea. "It is premature to say anything right now. But the government can can always approach the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne if the AIBA refuses to hear Devi's plea," the official said. "I'm hopeful that the matter will be sorted out given that Devi has apologised not just once but twice."

Going by AIBA's controversial past, it's difficult to predict Devi's future.

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