Rajya Sabha MP and Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar will meet sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday to discuss the international ban on boxer Sarita Devi. Tendulkar had earlier appealed against a life ban on her by Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA).
L Sarita Devi has been suspended for refusing to accept her bronze medal during the Incheon Asian Games, because she felt she deserved the silver. Interestingly, her opponent was a South Korean and there were muted allegations of bias on part of the judges.
Sarita lost in the semifinals of the women's lightweight (60kg) competition at Incheon, South Korea, in September, and tried to give her medal to her opponent at the presentation ceremony as a protest.
Tendulkar wrote a letter to the minister last week urging him to support her and ensure that her career does not end. "I would urge you to kindly look into this issue urgently and ensure that she is given competent support so that her career is not threatened and ends in a premature manner," Tendulkar had said.
Tendulkar has said being a sportsman he could relate to Sarita's emotional turmoil.
"As a fellow sportsperson, I can relate to the emotional turmoil which Ms. Devi must have undergone leading to the unfortunate outburst. Subsequently, she has regretted and deserves another chance to continue her pursuits," the 41-year old said in his letter to Sarbananda Sonowal.
Tendulkar requested the Manipuri boxer should be allowed to compete at the highest level since she had already apologised for her behaviour.
"As you may be aware, she has already apologised for her unsportsmanlike behaviour. As a country, we should make every effort to ensure that Ms Devi is pardoned and allowed to pursue her boxing skills at the highest level," he said.
Tendulkar encouraged Sonowal to consider forming a task force of senior officials from the Indian Olympic Association and the Boxing Federation and defend her case in front of the governing body, AIBA.
"With limited knowledge on the ongoing process, I would sincerely request to consider forming a task force of senior officials from the Indian Olympic Association, the Indian Boxing Federation backed with strong legal minds under your stewardship.
"The objective of this task force should be to deter any potential move by the Governing body to cause irreversible harm to Ms. Devi's career by placing compelling arguments in her defence. This is critical as Ms. Devi belongs to a set of passionate sportspersons who have taken immense pride in representing the country and deserve all the support and backing from various stakeholders including Government of India," he wrote.
Tendulkar further urged the Minister to take the necessary actions. "I am sure you will look into this matter and take due actions in a prompt manner."
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