Latest news with #TargetOlympicPodiumScheme
Hindustan Times
2 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.
India Today
3 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
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lovlina alleges 'humiliating behaviour' by BFI official, he 'respectfully' denies
NEW DELHI: Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist has accused Boxing Federation of India's executive director and interim committee member Col Arun Malik (Retd) of "disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Indian Olympic Association has started a probe into these allegations. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. TOI has exclusively obtained Lovlina's two-page complaint, in which the reigning middleweight world champion and a recipient of Khel Ratna and , accused Malik of "demeaning" her achievements and "humiliating" her during a Target Olympic Podium Scheme meeting held via Zoom on July 8 last month. She described the experience as one that "left me deeply hurt, disheartened, and questioned the respect and dignity we, as women athletes, truly receive". Poll Do you agree that athletes should have the right to choose their coaches? Yes, it's essential for their success. No, it should be decided by the federation. Malik denied all allegations and stated that the federation remained committed to supporting its athletes while upholding fairness, transparency and equal opportunity. In a statement, Malik said, "Lovlina is the pride of the nation, and we at BFI take immense pride in her achievements, especially her Olympic bronze. I respectfully and categorically deny the allegations levelled. The call in question was thoroughly professional in its entirety. It was attended by officials from SAI and TOPS and was officially recorded by the host. The same recording is with the respective officials for review. Matters raised by Lovlina were duly noted and addressed in line with BFI's established policies, which apply uniformly to all athletes." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Lovlina sent her complaint to sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Authority of India director general Hari Ranjan Rao, TOPS division, IOA and BFI. In response, IOA has formed a three-member committee under the ministry's directives. The committee includes TOPS CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal, table tennis legend and IOA's athletes commission vice-chairperson Sharath Kamal and a female advocate. Tasked with submitting a report within two weeks, the committee has yet to release its findings despite nearly a month passing. Additionally, Ritu Pathik, SAI's executive director of the TEAMS division, is investigating the matter independently. In her complaint, Lovlina stated: "I write this letter not just as an athlete, but as a woman who has spent years carrying the hopes of a nation in the boxing ring — with pride, pain and perseverance. What happened during a recent official meeting with the BFI and the TOPS on July 8, 2024, at 12pm has left me deeply hurt, disheartened. In the presence of respected individuals from TOPS, boxing coach Pranamika Boro, (other) BFI members, Mr Arun Malik, an official of BFI, humiliated me in a way no athlete should ever have to endure. He raised his voice at me, spoke in an aggressively demeaning manner, and 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, who is part of the Indian boxing contingent for the forthcoming World Championships in Liverpool, UK, from Sept 4 to 14, added: "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... I request the authorities for a fair and swift inquiry into Malik's conduct during the meeting and necessary disciplinary action if these actions are found to be in violation of acceptable conduct. " The dispute arose when Lovlina requested the expertise of Pranamika Boro, a long-serving coach of the Indian women's boxing team and part of the country's contingent for the Paris Olympics 2024, to be her personal coach at the elite national camp in NIS Patiala and to allow her to train abroad in Europe in preparation for the Liverpool Worlds. It is alleged that Malik rejected her proposals before the TOPS division could consider them. The TOPS meeting was convened at Lovlina's special request to discuss her demands. When contacted, Lovlina told TOI, "I don't wish to comment at this juncture when an investigation is on. I have full faith in the committee and its findings. I will wait for the report to come before publicly commenting."
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
What National Sports Policy can do for India's athletes
As someone who has spent decades in the field of sports medicine, closely observing the physical and psychological toll elite sport takes on athletes, I am both encouraged and excited by the emphasis placed on sports science and technology in the upcoming National Sports Policy 2025. This is not just a policy — it's a paradigm shift. For the first time in our nation's sporting journey, we are embedding science, technology, and evidence-based medicine at the heart of athlete development. From injury prevention and biomechanics to mental conditioning and recovery, the policy envisions a system where performance is supported, not just expected. India has made great strides in global sports. But to compete consistently at the highest level, performance needs to be sustained by systems that are smart, adaptable, and medically sound. The National Sports Policy 2025 acknowledges this and integrates sports science, sports medicine, and cutting-edge technology as foundational pillars for the next decade of Indian sports. It gives me immense satisfaction as a medical practitioner to note that the new policy focuses on: Injury surveillance, prevention, and early intervention, which remain essential for athlete longevity; biomechanics and performance analytics to refine training and technique; nutrition and recovery science — areas where marginal gains often make the difference between podium finishes and missed opportunities; and mental health and cognitive conditioning, which, in today's high-pressure environment, are non-negotiable. The policy outlines that facilities for sports science and sports medicine will be established and upgraded at major training centres across the country. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has already begun enhancing sports science facilities and installing world-class recovery equipment at its regional centres and National Centres of Excellence, in partnership with the National Centre for Sports Science & Research. The SAI regional centre in Bengaluru, where our Olympic medal prospects under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) train, has got one of the best sports science facilities in the entire country. Another Return to Sports division was recently established at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. These are multi-disciplinary hubs where coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, orthopaedic surgeons and data scientists work together to support athletes. In a significant step, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had constituted a 10-member medical panel in association with the Indian Olympic Association last year, including myself, to be stationed in Paris during the Olympic Games. For the first time, India had a dedicated medical team on-ground to manage injuries, monitor recovery, and make real-time decisions for our athletes' health and safety. The policy also rightly champions technology as a tool for governance and performance monitoring. Platforms will be upgraded and restructured to improve the transparency and efficiency of various schemes. From AI-driven performance analysis to real-time dashboards, monitoring training loads and recovery metrics, technology will be harnessed not just to track, but to intervene early, predict outcomes, and course-correct when necessary. What excites me even more is that we are not stopping at application — we are fostering sports innovation by leveraging technology for data-driven monitoring and implementation of sports programmes. With the proposed sports innovation task force and research grants, educational and research institutions will be encouraged to explore interdisciplinary solutions, creating a pipeline of ideas, tools, and technologies that are India-specific. In a nutshell, the National Sports Policy 2025 is not just forward-thinking — it is vital. By embedding sports science and technology into the fabric of our sporting ecosystem, we are moving toward certainty — from passion alone to passion empowered by precision. As someone who has treated hundreds of India's top athletes, I know that talent and training are never enough. Support, science, and systems are what create champions. With this policy, we are finally building those systems. The writer is a sports orthopaedic surgeon. He was head of a medical panel constituted by the sports ministry to support Indian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'NSP's 360-degree approach can pitchfork India as superpower'
PT Usha (PTI Photo) The new sports policy, christened the Khelo Bharat Niti, could not have been better timed. Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's vision to transform India into healthy and sporty nation by 2047 is fundamental to becoming a global powerhouse. Implemented in totality, the 360-degree approach of Khelo Bharat Niti and its collaborative model can make India a force to reckon with. The definition of sports has changed. 'Olympism' is at the heart of sports. It is not about winning medals alone. It is about enhancing awareness, understanding your health, uplifting your body and mind to achieve excellence. Khelo Bharat Niti attempts to ride sports for social development and make it a people's movement. I must mention how PM Modi's Fit India movement is making a significant impact regardless of age and gender. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! One unique aspect of PM Modi's vision is that it is conservative in approach. No big talk and it does not sell dreams. The government attempts to channelize youthfulness into by-products that will help build a Viksit Bharat. Development model which cannot be weighed in terms of winning medals at the global competitions alone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Poll How important is the alignment of sports policy with the National Education Policy for young athletes? Very important Somewhat important Not important One needs to set a process to achieve results and when we think of the several government initiatives like Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme etc., that process is already in place. Only some fine tuning, adjustments, a consolidated and positive approach among stakeholders are needed. One major aspect of the new sports policy is its alignment with the National Education Policy. I have personally felt the impact of sports at the school level. Before I excelled at the state, national and international arenas, I was first a school games champion. My roots were strong because I was honing my strengths from my school days. Additionally, block-level sports infrastructure will be developed to ensure that even the most rural or remote areas have access to facilities, fostering inclusivity and engagement. If this happens, we will have an infra pyramid and a well-oiled feeder line that can benefit the country in the long run. EXCLUSIVE | David Gower on Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and India's England tour As Indian Olympic Association president, it gives me great hope that Khelo Bharat Niti will pave the way for Indian athletes to make a mark at the 2036 Olympics. We have bid for the Games and still have 11 years to prepare. It takes anything between eight to 12 years to develop into a potential Olympic medallist. If Khelo Bharat Niti is implemented in letter and spirit, we can see golden days ahead. Talking of the ecosystem, while athletes and their coaches remain our biggest priority, administrators have to play their roles as well. The sports policy attempts at complete transparency in governance and an effective process that is gender neutral, sustainable, impartial and believes in fair play. We can achieve great results if the ecosystem is seamless and we constantly find solutions to issues we face. Corporates need to look at the bigger picture and their main objective should be the welfare of athletes, nothing else. Every successful nation at the Olympics not only showcases great athletes but a unified Olympic committee that prides itself in meeting the objectives to attain excellence on and off the pitch. Khelo Bharat Niti will help reach the desired solidarity among National Sports Federations which make key decisions to make athletes shine. It is important that everyone is on the same page and there is a solution for every problem. Consolidation of ideas, opportunity at every age level, development of infrastructure and multiple platforms to express one's skills are fundamental to sporting development and the new sports policy is therefore a perfect roadmap to enhance the culture of sports in India. (PT Usha is a former international athlete and the president of IOA) Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
