Guwahati, August 8: Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has levelled serious allegations against a senior Boxing Federation of India (BFI) official, accusing him of “disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour” during a virtual meeting on her training plans for the upcoming AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool from September 4 to 14.
In a formal two-page complaint addressed to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director-General Hari Ranjan Rao, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), TOPS officials, and the BFI, the 27-year-old boxer alleged that Col (Retd) Arun Malik — BFI’s executive director and interim committee member — humiliated her when she requested that Pranamika Boro be allowed to join her as a personal coach for a training camp in Europe.
The Khel Ratna and Arjuna awardee said the incident “left me deeply hurt, disheartened, and questioning the respect and dignity we, as women athletes, truly receive.” She alleged that the official demeaned her achievements, raised his voice, and told her to “shut up, lower your head and do as we say.”
According to Lovlina, BFI’s High Performance Director, Malik, rejected the requests outright, even before they were reviewed by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) panel.
Malik has denied the charges, terming the meeting “thoroughly professional” and stating that it was attended by officials from SAI and TOPS, with the entire session recorded. “Lovlina is the pride of the nation… The matters she raised were addressed in line with BFI policies,” he said.
Following directives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has constituted a three-member inquiry committee comprising TOPS CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal, IOA Athletes Commission vice-chairperson Sharath Kamal, and a woman legal expert. The panel was asked to submit its findings within two weeks, but nearly a month later, the report remains pending.
