'Mary Kom suspension can be revoked'

Indian Boxing Federation on Tuesday said World Champion MC Mary Kom's suspension could be revoked if the ace pugilist apologises to the jury for her "unsporting behaviour" during the senior National Boxing Championship.

Mary Kom was suspended till October 27 after she allegedly used foul language against the jury following her quarter-final defeat against Haryana's Pinky Jingra on Monday.

"Yes, there is a possibility," Col P K Muralidharan Raja, AIBA Secretary General, said when asked whether the decision could be revoked if Mary Kom tenders an apology.

Raja said he was "satisfied" with the decision of the jury headed by N S Kichi after going through the score sheet of the bout and discussing it with the officials.

"Discipline has to be maintained at any cost irrespective of the boxers achievements," he said adding the temporary suspension of Mary Kom, who is an ambassador of Indian boxing, "will send a right message among the boxers".

Raja said they will take up the issue at its annual general meeting to be held in Hyderabad on October 27.