Indian women's boxer and Tokyo Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain has levelled some explosive allegations against Colonel Arun Malik, who now serves as the Executive Director of Boxing Federation of India. According to media reports, Lovlina said Malik had behaved in a disrespectful and inappropriate manner with her during a Zoom meeting but the latter has strongly denied it.
According to a report by The Times of India, the female boxer wrote a letter to the Sports Minister, TOPS Division, IOA, Boxing Federation and Director General of Sports Authority of India. As per the report, she wrote, 'I am writing this letter not only as a player but also as a woman who carried the country's hopes in the boxing ring. On July 8, a TOPS meeting was held in which Colonel Malik shouted at me. I was told to 'keep quiet, keep your head down and do what is being said.'
In response, Malik has denied the allegations, claiming that it was a professional call where SAI and TOPS officials were present and promised that Lovlina's complaint has been taken into consideration.
"Lovlina is the pride of the country and we at BFI are very proud of her achievements, especially her Olympic bronze medal. I deny all the allegations made by her. All these allegations are completely false. This call was completely professional. SAI and TOPS officials participated in it and it was also recorded by the host. This recording is with all the officials. All the allegations made by Lovlina have been taken into consideration and will be resolved as per the rules of BFI, which will be equally applicable to all athletes."
Career achievements of Lovlina Borgohain
The biggest achievement of Borgohain's career arguably is winning the bronze medal in the women's welterweight (69 kg) boxing category. In the process, she became the third boxer from India to clinch an Olympic medal. The Assamese had also won gold at the Asian Boxing Championships 2022 in the middleweight category.
Her first world title came in the year 2023 when she won 2023 World Boxing Championships hosted by New Delhi. Additionally, the 27-year-old also became the first female athlete and second boxer from Assam to represent the state in the Olympics.
Borgohain fell agonizingly short of a medal in Paris last year, losing to China's Li Qian in the quarter-finals.
