NEW DELHI: Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has accused Boxing Federation of India’s government director and interim committee member Col Arun Malik (Retd) of “disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour”. The Indian Olympic Affiliation has began a probe into these allegations.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!TOI has completely obtained Lovlina’s two-page criticism, through which the reigning middleweight world champion and a recipient of Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, accused Malik of “demeaning” her achievements and “humiliating” her throughout a Goal Olympic Podium Scheme assembly held through Zoom on July 8 final month. She described the expertise as one which “left me deeply damage, disheartened, and questioned the respect and dignity we, as ladies athletes, actually obtain”.
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Malik denied all allegations and said that the federation remained dedicated to supporting its athletes whereas upholding equity, transparency and equal alternative.In a press release, Malik stated, “Lovlina is the satisfaction of the nation, and we at BFI take immense satisfaction in her achievements, particularly her Olympic bronze. I respectfully and categorically deny the allegations levelled. The decision in query was totally skilled in its entirety. It was attended by officers from SAI and TOPS and was formally recorded by the host. The identical recording is with the respective officers for evaluation. Issues raised by Lovlina had been duly famous and addressed in keeping with BFI’s established insurance policies, which apply uniformly to all athletes.”
Lovlina despatched her criticism to sports activities minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports activities Authority of India director common Hari Ranjan Rao, TOPS division, IOA and BFI.In response, IOA has shaped a three-member committee underneath the ministry’s directives. The committee consists of TOPS CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal, desk tennis legend and IOA’s athletes fee vice-chairperson Sharath Kamal and a feminine advocate. Tasked with submitting a report inside two weeks, the committee has but to launch its findings regardless of almost a month passing.Moreover, Ritu Pathik, SAI’s government director of the TEAMS division, is investigating the matter independently.In her criticism, Lovlina said: “I write this letter not simply as an athlete, however as a girl who has spent years carrying the hopes of a nation within the boxing ring — with satisfaction, ache and perseverance. What occurred throughout a current official assembly with the BFI and the TOPS on July 8, 2024, at 12pm has left me deeply damage, disheartened. Within the presence of revered people from TOPS, boxing coach Pranamika Boro, (different) BFI members, Mr Arun Malik, an official of BFI, humiliated me in a method no athlete ought to ever should endure. He raised his voice at me, spoke in an aggressively demeaning method, and blatantly instructed me to ‘shut up, decrease your head and do as we are saying’. His phrases weren’t solely disrespectful but in addition carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance — one thing that nobody, particularly a girl who has introduced honour to the nation, ought to be subjected to.”Lovlina, who’s a part of the Indian boxing contingent for the forthcoming World Championships in Liverpool, UK, from Sept 4 to 14, added: “In an area the place I anticipated professionalism, assist and mutual respect, I used to be made to really feel small, unheard, and powerless. It was not only a private insult — it was an assault on each lady athlete who goals of standing tall, each in and out of doors the ring… I request the authorities for a good and swift inquiry into Malik’s conduct through the assembly and crucial disciplinary motion if these actions are discovered to be in violation of acceptable conduct.“The dispute arose when Lovlina requested the experience of Pranamika Boro, a long-serving coach of the Indian ladies’s boxing group and a part of the nation’s contingent for the Paris Olympics 2024, to be her private coach on the elite nationwide camp in NIS Patiala and to permit her to coach overseas in Europe in preparation for the Liverpool Worlds.It’s alleged that Malik rejected her proposals earlier than the TOPS division may take into account them. The TOPS assembly was convened at Lovlina’s particular request to debate her calls for.When contacted, Lovlina instructed TOI, “I do not want to remark at this juncture when an investigation is on. I’ve full religion within the committee and its findings. I’ll anticipate the report to return earlier than publicly commenting.”
