Latest news with #Lovlina
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Lovlina Borgohain accuses BFI official of mistreatment and making sexist remarks: ‘Told me to shut up and lower my head'
Lovlina Borgohain, the Olympic bronze medallist, accused a senior Boxing Federation of India (BFI) official of mistreating her and making her feel small by passing some sexist remarks. According to the official two-page complaint lodged by Lovlina, the incident happened during a Zoom meeting on July 8 under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Lovlina Borgohain accuses BFI official of mistreating her. (Getty) The 27-year-old boxer has submitted a written complaint to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, SAI Director-General Hari Ranjan Rao, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), TOPS officials, and BFI. In her communication to the concerned officials, Lovlina alleged that Col (Retd) Arun Malik, executive director of BFI and interim committee member, humiliated her when she made a formal request. She requested the senior official to let Pranamika Boro join her as a personal coach for a training stint in Europe. 'What happened during the official meeting on July 8 left me deeply hurt and disheartened. Mr Arun Malik raised his voice at me, spoke in an aggressively demeaning tone, and blatantly told me to 'shut up, lower your head and do as we say'," she wrote in her letter, as reported by The Times of India. 'In a space where I expected professionalism, support and mutual respect, I was made to feel small, unheard, and powerless. It was not just a personal insult — it was an attack on every woman athlete who dreams of standing tall, both in and outside the ring," she stated further. The official denies allegations However, the BFI official Col Malik has firmly denied all the allegations, saying the meeting was "professional". 'Lovlina is the pride of the nation, and we at BFI take immense pride in her achievements. Matters raised by her were addressed in accordance with BFI's policies, which apply uniformly to all athletes,' the Times of India quoted him as saying. The Indian Olympic Association has now formed a three-member inquiry committee to probe into the matter. The committee comprises TOPS CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal, Olympian Sharath Kamal, and a female legal expert. On the other hand, SAI's TEAMS division, headed by Ritu Pathik, is also conducting an independent investigation into the matter.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain accuses senior BFI official of 'gender-discriminatory behaviour'
Lovlina Borgohain, who had won bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has accused Boxing Federation of India's executive director Col Arun Malik of 'disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour' against her on a Zoom call. read more Tokyo Olympics bronze-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain's allegations of 'disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour' against national federation's executive director Col Arun Malik are being investigated and a report would be submitted soon, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) official has said. In a formal complaint addressed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General, the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) division, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Lovlina alleged that Malik humiliated her and undermined her achievements during a Zoom meeting on July 8, which was attended by SAI and TOPS officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the call Lovlina requested that her personal coach, who was also present in the online meeting, be allowed in the national camp, something that goes against the BFI policy. She also wanted the coach to be allowed to travel with her to train in Europe. According to Lovlina, Malik responded aggressively and spoke to her in a demeaning manner. 'He blatantly told me to 'shut up, lower your head and do as we say.' His words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance – something that no one, especially a woman who has brought honour to the nation, should be subjected to,' Lovlina stated in her complaint. 'I was made to feel small, unheard, and powerless. It was not just a personal insult – it was an attack on every woman athlete who dreams of standing tall, both in and outside the ring,' Lovlina stated in her complaint. She further asked for a 'fair and swift inquiry' and also 'necessary disciplinary action if these actions are found to be in violation of acceptable conduct.' Malik, however, 'categorically and unequivocally' denied the allegations, calling them 'devoid of any merit.' 'Lovlina's requests were considered and respectfully declined, as they are inconsistent with the policies of the Boxing Federation of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'As per BFI's Selection Policy published in January 2025, it is mandatory for all athletes to participate in the National Coaching Camp to be considered for evaluation and selection for international competitions,' Malik said in his reply. 'BFI, in the interest of fairness and uniformity, does not permit personal coaches or support staff within the National Camp.' Taking note of the complaint, the IOA formed a panel, comprising TOPS CEO NS Johal, IOA's athletes commission vice chairperson Sharath Kamal and a woman advocate. The entire interaction between Lovlina and Malik was recorded during the meeting and a member of the inquiry panel said a report would be submitted soon. The committee was to give the report within two weeks of receiving the complaint but has been unable to convene a meeting due to 'some prior commitments of its members'. 'Due to some pressing commitments, the panel has not been able to convene a meeting so far. But it would be done soon and since there is video available of the entire chain of events, it won't be a very complicated matter to deal with,' a panel member said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is learnt the Malik has asked the committee to expedite the process and also requested for the video recording of the interaction. Lovlina, meanwhile, has refused to comment on the matter. 'I don't want to focus on this right now because it will affect my game. I don't want to comment until the committee comes up with a decision,' Lovlina, who is also a world champion, said.
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Lovlina Borgohain accuses BFI official of sexist remarks: Told shut up, lower my head
Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has accused a senior Boxing Federation of India (BFI) official of gender-discriminatory and demeaning behaviour during a Zoom meeting on July 8 under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).According to a report by The Times of India, Lovlina submitted a formal two-page complaint to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, SAI Director-General Hari Ranjan Rao, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), TOPS officials, and BFI. She claimed that Col (Retd) Arun Malik, executive director of BFI and interim committee member, humiliated her after she requested that Pranamika Boro be allowed to join her as personal coach for a training stint in TO SHUT UP AND LOWER YOUR HEAD'Lovlina wrote, 'What happened during the official meeting on July 8 left me deeply hurt and disheartened. Mr Arun Malik raised his voice at me, spoke in an aggressively demeaning tone, and blatantly told me to 'shut up, lower your head and do as we say.'' She added that his behaviour reflected a tone of 'gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance.' 'In a space where I expected professionalism, support and mutual respect, I was made to feel small, unheard, and powerless,' she said. 'It was not just a personal insult — it was an attack on every woman athlete who dreams of standing tall, both in and outside the ring.'BFI OFFICIAL DENIES ALLEGATIONSCol Malik has firmly denied all allegations. In a statement, he said the meeting was 'thoroughly professional' and that officials from SAI and TOPS were present. 'The same recording is with the respective officials for review,' he added.'Lovlina is the pride of the nation, and we at BFI take immense pride in her achievements. Matters raised by her were addressed in accordance with BFI's policies, which apply uniformly to all athletes,' Malik PANEL SET UP, FINDINGS AWAITEDThe IOA has formed a three-member inquiry committee comprising TOPS CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal, Olympian Sharath Kamal, and a female legal expert. Although the panel was supposed to submit its report within two weeks, no update has been made SAI's TEAMS division under Ritu Pathik is also conducting an independent investigation.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Lovlina Borgohain accuses BFI official of disrespectful behaviour, IOA inquiry panel to convene meeting soon
Tokyo Olympics bronze-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain's allegations of 'disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour' against national federation's executive director Col Arun Malik are being investigated and a report would be submitted soon, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) official has said. In a formal complaint addressed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General, the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) division, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Lovlina alleged that Malik humiliated her and undermined her achievements during a Zoom meeting on July 8, which was attended by SAI and TOPS officials. On the call Lovlina requested that her personal coach, who was also present in the online meeting, be allowed in the national camp, something that goes against the BFI policy. She also wanted the coach to be allowed to travel with her to train in Europe. According to Lovlina, Malik responded aggressively and spoke to her in a demeaning manner. 'He blatantly told me to 'shut up, lower your head and do as we say.' His words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance — something that no one, especially a woman who has brought honour to the nation, should be subjected to,' Lovlina stated in her complaint. 'I was made to feel small, unheard, and powerless. It was not just a personal insult — it was an attack on every woman athlete who dreams of standing tall, both in and outside the ring,' Lovlina stated in her complaint. She further asked for a 'fair and swift inquiry' and also 'necessary disciplinary action if these actions are found to be in violation of acceptable conduct.' Malik, however, 'categorically and unequivocally' denied the allegations, calling them 'devoid of any merit.' 'Lovlina's requests were considered and respectfully declined, as they are inconsistent with the policies of the Boxing Federation of India. 'As per BFI's Selection Policy published in January 2025, it is mandatory for all athletes to participate in the National Coaching Camp to be considered for evaluation and selection for international competitions,' Malik said in his reply. 'BFI, in the interest of fairness and uniformity, does not permit personal coaches or support staff within the National Camp.' Taking note of the complaint, the IOA formed a panel, comprising TOPS CEO N S Johal, IOA's athletes commission vice chairperson Sharath Kamal and a woman advocate. The entire interaction between Lovlina and Malik was recorded during the meeting and a member of the inquiry panel said a report would be submitted soon. The committee was to give the report within two weeks of receiving the complaint but has been unable to convene a meeting due to 'some prior commitments of its members'. 'Due to some pressing commitments, the panel has not been able to convene a meeting so far. But it would be done soon and since there is video available of the entire chain of events, it won't be a very complicated matter to deal with,' a panel member said. It is learnt the Malik has asked the committee to expedite the process and also requested for the video recording of the interaction. Lovlina, meanwhile, has refused to comment on the matter. 'I don't want to focus on this right now because it will affect my game. I don't want to comment until the committee comes up with a decision,' Lovlina, who is also a world champion, said.
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Lovlina alleges disrespect by BFI official, IOA sets up inquiry meet
Tokyo Olympics bronze-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain's allegations of "disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour" against national federation's executive director Col Arun Malik are being investigated and a report would be submitted soon, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) official has said. In a formal complaint addressed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General, the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) division, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Lovlina alleged that Malik humiliated her and undermined her achievements during a Zoom meeting on July 8, which was attended by SAI and TOPS officials. On the call Lovlina requested that her personal coach, who was also present in the online meeting, be allowed in the national camp, something that goes against the BFI policy. She also wanted the coach to be allowed to travel with her to train in Europe. According to Lovlina, Malik responded aggressively and spoke to her in a demeaning manner. "He blatantly told me to 'shut up, lower your head and do as we say.' His words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance -- something that no one, especially a woman who has brought honour to the nation, should be subjected to," Lovlina stated in her complaint. "I was made to feel small, unheard, and powerless. It was not just a personal insult -- it was an attack on every woman athlete who dreams of standing tall, both in and outside the ring," Lovlina stated in her complaint. She further asked for a "fair and swift inquiry" and also "necessary disciplinary action if these actions are found to be in violation of acceptable conduct." Malik, however, "categorically and unequivocally" denied the allegations, calling them "devoid of any merit." "Lovlina's requests were considered and respectfully declined, as they are inconsistent with the policies of the Boxing Federation of India. "As per BFI's Selection Policy published in January 2025, it is mandatory for all athletes to participate in the National Coaching Camp to be considered for evaluation and selection for international competitions," Malik said in his reply. "BFI, in the interest of fairness and uniformity, does not permit personal coaches or support staff within the National Camp." Taking note of the complaint, the IOA formed a panel, comprising TOPS CEO N S Johal, IOA's athletes commission vice chairperson Sharath Kamal and a woman advocate. The entire interaction between Lovlina and Malik was recorded during the meeting and a member of the inquiry panel said a report would be submitted soon. The committee was to give the report within two weeks of receiving the complaint but has been unable to convene a meeting due to "some prior commitments of its members". "Due to some pressing commitments, the panel has not been able to convene a meeting so far. But it would be done soon and since there is video available of the entire chain of events, it won't be a very complicated matter to deal with," a panel member said. It is learnt the Malik has asked the committee to expedite the process and also requested for the video recording of the interaction. Lovlina, meanwhile, has refused to comment on the matter. "I don't want to focus on this right now because it will affect my game. I don't want to comment until the committee comes up with a decision," Lovlina, who is also a world champion, said.
