IOA to discuss Sarita Devi ban with Ministry officials on October 28

CHENNAI: Rattled by the International Boxing Association's decision to provisionally suspend boxer L Sarita Devi for her protest at the Asian Games, the IOA will hold a meeting with Sports Ministry officials on October 28 to discuss the way forward.

IOA President N Ramachandran said the meeting will be held in Delhi on October 28.

AIBA, in a sweeping move, decided to suspend Sarita, her coaches - Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu, Blas Iglesias Fernandes and Sagar Mal Dhayal - and the Indian chef-de-mission to the Asian Games Adille Sumariwala.

The suspension bars them from participating at all levels of AIBA competitions and meetings until further notice.

As a result, Sarita will not be able to compete in the World Championships scheduled to be held next month in South Korea.

Sarita is facing disciplinary action for refusing to accept her bronze medal at the Asian Games after losing a controversial semifinal bout.