Eight women boxers, including unmarried and juniors, who are set to compete at the World Championships in Korea next week, were subjected to pregnancy tests by Sports Authority of India under the new requirements of world body AIBA though the move was criticised by experts here.
The invite sent to Boxing India by the AIBA to take part in the World Championships at Jeju Islands specifically sought a non-pregnancy form to be issued for the women boxers by a doctor.
SAI Executive Director (Teams) Sudhir Setia confirmed that the tests were done but said that there was no violation of rules and the tests were mandatory under world body AIBA guidelines.
“This is a matter handled by the federation doctor. But this is not the first time our women boxers had gone outside the country after undergoing these tests. Each of the women boxers are required to give a certificate (that they were not pregnant) for their safety as well as that of the would-be baby,” said Setia.
“This is no doubt a sensitive issue in India but it is mandatory under AIBA rules. We have not violated any rules,” he added. However, SAI consultant Dr. PSM Chandran criticised the pregnancy tests conducted on the women boxers, terming the move as violation of human rights.
Dr. Chandran, who is President of Indian Federation of Sports Medicine, said the tests were conducted by Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the behest of BI. “These boxers have been compelled to undergo pregnancy tests. They (BI) ordered and the SAI followed suit. Pregnancy tests were carried out on eight young unmarried girls, some even juniors, a classic case of human rights violation,” Chandran claimed in a press release.
