Mary Kom suspended from boxing events

Jamshedpur: Four-time world champion MC Mary Kom was on Monday suspended till October 27 for "unsporting behaviour" after her quarter-final loss in the Women's National Boxing Championship at Jamshedpur.

Mary Kom, who was representing the All India Police Board (AIPB) at the domestic meet, lost her cool after losing to Pinky Jingra (Haryana) in the quarter-final of the 10th edition of the meet at the J R D Tata Sports complex in Jamshedpur on Monday.

Mary Kom, who was recently honoured with country's highest sports award Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for her achievements at international level, lost 1-4 on countback after the 20-year old Jingra equalled score 15-15 in the 46 kg light flyweight category.

The 27-year-old Mary Kom then allegedly used "unsporting" language against the judges.

She was suspended till October 27 from all boxing activities by the Indian Boxing Federation at an emergency meeting after the incident.

Anil Boidar, senior Joint Secretary IBF and observer of the championship said judges declared Pinky winner on account of better technique, defence and style.

Rakesh Thakran, Coordinator of IBF, said the decision to suspend Kom, temporarily till October 27, was taken by a nine-member jury panel headed by NS Kichi, Vice-President of IBF.

The issue will be taken up at the annual general meeting of IBF to be held at Hyderabad on October 27.

"Being a senior player, Kom should have taken the defeat sportingly but her behaviour was uncalled for," Boidar said.

Kom and L Sarita Devi (AIPB) who lost to Sunita Yadav of Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) in the pre-quarterfinal round in the 54 kgs weight category on Sunday night, alleged that "regional discrimination" and a planned conspiracy by a certain lobby in the IBF led to their defeat.

"The pugilists, both men and women from North-East, are being treated indifferently by a section of IBF officials," they told newsmen.

Kom said while she did not lodge any written complaint in this regard, she will take up the matter with the General Secretary of IBF PKM Raja, who will be in the steel city on Tuesday.