KARACHI, May 7: A questionable decision against an Indian boxer drew sharp reaction on Friday when team coach charged Pakistan boxing chief with bias. "Indian boxers always lose whenever and wherever you see (Anwar) Chowdhry.
We had enough and now it is getting out of control," coach G.S. Sandhu said while complaining to a member of a jury after light-flyweight Mohammad Ali Qamar's defeat against Japan's Toshiyuki Iqarashi.
"Obviously we are disappointed. Qamar is our best boxer and was best hope for Olympics. He should have been declared winner because of his outstanding performance against the Japanese as you all see.
"We respect jury's decision. We will not lodge an official protest, but I must say jury must be careful while giving verdicts in such a tournament like this," Asit Banerjee told reporters after the bout.
Sandhu strongly protested to Shakeel Durrani, also the organizing secretary of the tournament, for what he termed as injustice to his boxer. "We want friendship (with Pakistan). But how long we could tolerate this kind of attitude. We are fed up with this injustice.
It is always a close bout and a close decision whenever India is involved and Chowdhry is there. Why is that so only with us. "Qamar was our major medal hope and we were hoping he will qualify for the Olympics.
Now look how he is deprived of his right despite a brilliant performance," said Sandhu when Shakeel tried to pacify him, saying "it was a close bout." Sandhu's outcry drew Anwar Chowdhry's attention who was sitting just behind and above the jury.
He asked the Indian official to come and talk to him on the issue but Sandhu showed indignation by declining the offer. Chowdhry is also president of International Boxing Association (AIBA).
Qamar, who beat Pakistan's Noman Kareem at last year's Commonwealth championship to win the gold, was also dejected after the decision. "I thought I will win the fight. But jury gave its verdict in favour of my opponent. I feel disappointed," the 24-year-old from Kolkata said.
The controversy was not the first one since Sri Lanka coach Jorge Luis Fromeya Mafos had also expressed dissatisfaction over the defeat of flyweight Anuruddha Rathnayake against China's Zou Gang on Thursday.