TV
Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has accused a senior Boxing Federation of India (BFI) official of mistreating her and making sexist remarks during a Zoom meeting held on July 8 under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
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.
Lovlina wrote that the incident left her “deeply hurt and disheartened,” alleging that Malik “raised his voice, spoke in an aggressively demeaning tone,” and told her to “shut up, lower your head and do as we say.” She 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.”
Col Malik has denied the allegations, calling the meeting “professional” and stating, “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 IOA has formed a three-member inquiry committee — comprising TOPS CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal, Olympian Sharath Kamal, and a female legal expert — to investigate the matter. Separately, SAI’s TEAMS division, led by Ritu Pathik, is also conducting an independent probe.
