Furious with the three boxers who alleged that trials for the upcoming World Championships were manipulated, Indian Boxing Federation President Abhishek Matoria today said disciplinary action will be taken against them if they fail to prove their charges.
Speaking to PTI over phone, Matoria said the the onus is on the boxers to prove the allegations that the coaches and the selection committee were bribed and the trials were fixed to favour certain other pugilists.
"It is a very serious offence in my opinion because it was not that trials were held behind closed doors. Everybody could see the winners and losers. If they fail to prove their allegations, disciplinary action will be taken against them," the BJP MLA, who is currently busy attending the Rajasthan Assembly's Monsoon session, said.
The selection of the Indian team for the World Boxing Championships ran into a controversy with Arjuna awardee Dinesh Kumar (91kg), national champion Dilbag Singh (69kg) and Praveen Kumar (+91kg) alleging that the coaches and the selection committee were compromised.
"The matter will be referred to an IBF disciplinary committee and the boxers will have to prove who took the money, how they were better in the trials," he said.
"If they had a grievance, they should have come to the Federation instead of going to the media and making wild allegations. They have questioned the integrity of individuals who have served Indian boxing for such a long time," a furious Matoria said.
"Indian boxing is already going through a very tough time because of the international suspension and to add to this, these guys have created a storm out of nothing.
"I can promise that action against them would be very swift and strict once they have been given a chance to prove their allegations," he added.
