AIBA to allow judging protests after turmoil

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) will introduce a right of protest against controversial judging “to ensure fair play” and prevent a repeat of ugly scenes that marred the Asian Games. Two North Korean boxing coaches were thrown out of the Asian Games Saturday after refusing to leave the ring and inciting the crowd after their fighter lost gold on a split decision to a Chinese boxer. Police had to move in to escort the duo had their Asian Games credentials immediately removed, from the Jakarta International Expo arena.

the 18th edition of the Asian Games concluded here on Sunday there would have been many emotional goodbyes said with the promise that they would meet again four years later with renewed energy and vigour to battle for supremacy again.

Speaking of supremacy, China once again had no aggressor in sight, winning 132 gold, 92 silver and 65 bronze medals.

As India embark on a fresh competition cycle with the next Olympic Games in Tokyo two years away, athletes should take a leaf out of China’s book, where a silver medal is nothing to be proud of.

The Asian Games at Jakarta and Palembang might have brought cheers on the faces of a billion and more Indians as the country surpassed its best ever haul in the continental games, but the real ‘shift’ actually happened in the mindset of athletes, who started believing that they could beat the best; the finest examples being Swapna Barman, the daughter of a bedridden rickshaw driver, who won the heptathlon gold, and Amit Phangal — the pint-sized light flyweight boxer whose parents live in penury — who cared little for the reputation of his Olympic champion rival, punching his way to gold.

But there would be thousands more Swapnas and Amits whose dreams never saw the light of the day because of the inadequacies in the scouting mechanism, lack of infrastructure in remote areas, inaccessibility to equipment, among other things.

Government-initiated programmes such as the Target Olympic Podium scheme (TOPs) have given athletes the liberty to plan their own regimen. Athletes, hitherto unknown to the world, are holding centrestage in sports like shooting, rowing and athletics, not just because they had the desire to pick up a sport but because they got the government support at the right time.

Four years back, it was unthinkable of a 16-year-old to win gold at the Asian Games, but today the likes of Saurabh Chaud-

JAKARTA: JAKARTA:As