Boxing India helping Sarita Devi: Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

NEW DELHI: Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the parliament has stated that Indian woman boxer L Sarita Devi is getting all the help from the Boxing India after AIBA suspended her from all competitions for not accepting her bronze medal at Asian Games medal ceremony.

Four MPs P Nagarajan, Bhola Singh, Prahlad Singh Patel and Kapil Moreshwar Patil asked whether IOA is pursuing the matter to get her suspension overturned.

In his reply to the Parliament, Soniowal wrote,"Ms Sarita Devi has filed her reply to the notice of AIBA, provisonally suspending her. Secretary, Department of Sports had taken a meeting on 27th of October, 2014 in which representatives of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Boxing India and Sports Authority of India were present.

"Boxing India is helping the player and coaches, provisonally suspended in all respects to be it legally, psychologically etc."

While answering question on Arjuna Awards, minister said,"Government is always willing to consider suggestions to make the process more transparent."