NEW DELHI, March 19: Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh on Wednesday, accused recently suspended BFI Secretary General Hemanta Kalita of preventing Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain and other Assam boxers from participating in the National Championships, set to begin on Thursday in Greater Noida.
Addressing an “emergency press conference,” Singh revealed that Lovlina, who won her Tokyo Olympics bronze in the 69kg category, was eager to compete but was being pressured by Kalita to withdraw from the tournament. Singh claimed that Kalita, who also holds the secretary position in the Assam Boxing Association, has discouraged players from competing in the women’s Nationals.
“Lovlina has expressed her support in a recorded video but is reportedly reconsidering her participation after receiving calls from Hemanta Kalita, who has asked her not to compete. She feels indebted to Assam boxing, which adds to her hesitation,” Singh said.
Kalita, who was recently found guilty of financial mismanagement following an inquiry led by former Delhi High Court judge Sudhir Kumar Jain, has not responded to the allegations. Additionally, Kalita was among the candidates for the BFI president’s post in the upcoming federation elections, but his nomination was rejected due to a mandatory cooling-off period after serving two terms in different roles within the BFI.
