BFI Official Told Me to ‘Shut Up, Lower Your Head & Do as We Say’: Olympic Medallist Lovlina
In a shocking revelation, Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain has accused BFI executive director Col Arun Malik of humiliating her and undermining her achievements during a Zoom meeting. The meeting, which was attended by officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), has sparked outrage and calls for an inquiry.
According to Lovlina, Col Arun Malik’s words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory dominance. The incident has left Lovlina feeling disrespected and undervalued, and has sparked a heated debate about the treatment of female athletes in India.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Lovlina recounted the events of the Zoom meeting, saying, “He told me to ‘shut up, lower your head and do as we say’. His words weren’t only disrespectful, but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory dominance. I felt disrespected and humiliated in front of the entire team.”
Lowlina, who won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year, said that she was called to the meeting to discuss her performance and future plans. However, the meeting took a dramatic turn when Col Arun Malik began to lecture her about her behavior and attitude.
“I was told that I needed to work on my attitude and behavior, that I was not representing the country well,” Lovlina said. “But what was disturbing was that the way he spoke to me. He spoke to me in a tone that was not only condescending but also gender-discriminatory. It was as if he was trying to tell me that I was a woman and I needed to be taught a lesson.”
Lowlina’s accusations have sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for Col Arun Malik’s resignation and an inquiry into the matter. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has also announced that it will conduct an inquiry into the incident.
“This kind of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our society,” said IOA Secretary General, Rajeev Mehta. “We will conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and take necessary action against those found guilty.”
The incident has also sparked a debate about the treatment of female athletes in India, with many pointing out that this is not an isolated incident. There have been several instances in the past where female athletes have been subjected to sexist and discriminatory behavior by coaches and officials.
“This is not the first time that a female athlete has been subjected to this kind of behavior,” said Olympic gold medal-winning boxer, Mary Kom. “It’s a systemic problem that needs to be addressed. We need to create a culture where women are respected and valued, not just as athletes, but as human beings.”
Lowlina’s accusations have also sparked a debate about the role of the BFI in promoting women’s boxing in India. Many have argued that the BFI has not done enough to support and promote women’s boxing, and that the incident is a result of the organization’s failure to create a positive and inclusive environment for female athletes.
“The BFI needs to take responsibility for this incident,” said Lovlina’s coach, Sandhya Gurung. “They need to realize that women’s boxing is not just a niche sport, but a major area of focus for the country. They need to create a positive and inclusive environment for female athletes, and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed.”
In the meantime, Lovlina has vowed to continue fighting for her rights and the rights of other female athletes in India. “I will not let this incident go unpunished,” she said. “I will continue to fight for my rights and the rights of other female athletes, and I will not rest until justice is served.”
