
Title: BFI official told me to ‘shut up, lower your head & do as we say’: Olympic medallist Lovlina
Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain has accused a senior official of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) 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 widespread outrage and calls for an inquiry by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
According to Lovlina, the BFI executive director, Col Arun Malik, told her to “shut up, lower your head and do as we say” during the meeting. She described the official’s words as not only disrespectful but also carrying an “alarming tone of gender-discriminatory dominance”.
Lovelina, who won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, has been a vocal advocate for women’s boxing in the country. Her accusation has sent shockwaves through the sports fraternity, with many calling for the official to be held accountable for his actions.
The incident took place during a meeting to discuss Lovlina’s preparations for the upcoming competitions. Lovlina, who was represented by her coach, Sandhya Gurung, during the meeting, claimed that Col Malik was critical of her performance and told her that she needed to improve her skills to compete at the international level.
However, Lovlina alleged that the official’s criticism took a nasty turn when he started making personal attacks on her. “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,” Lovlina told the Indian Express.
Lovelina’s coach, Sandhya Gurung, also corroborated her version of events. “Col Malik was very aggressive and abusive during the meeting. He was talking over Lovlina and not allowing her to speak. It was a very uncomfortable situation,” Gurung said.
The incident has sparked outrage among athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. Many have taken to social media to condemn the official’s behavior and demand an inquiry into the matter.
The IOA has also taken note of the incident and has announced that it will conduct an inquiry into the matter. “We have taken cognizance of the matter and will conduct an inquiry. We will also speak to Lovlina and her coach to get their version of events,” IOA secretary general, Rajeev Mehta, said.
The BFI has also issued a statement, saying that it is “shocked and disturbed” by Lovlina’s allegations. “We take these allegations very seriously and have launched an internal inquiry into the matter. We will take appropriate action if the allegations are found to be true,” the BFI statement said.
However, Lovlina has expressed her disappointment with the BFI’s response. “I am dismayed that the BFI has not taken any concrete action against Col Malik despite my allegations. It seems that the BFI is more concerned about saving its own skin than taking action against an official who has humiliated and undermined me,” Lovlina said.
The incident has also raised questions about the treatment of women athletes in India. Lovlina’s allegations are just the latest in a series of incidents that have highlighted the lack of respect and support shown to women athletes in the country.
In recent years, there have been several instances of women athletes being subjected to sexism and misogyny. From coaches making inappropriate comments to officials questioning their abilities, the sports fraternity has been plagued by a culture of sexism and discrimination.
The government and sports authorities have also been criticized for their lack of action in addressing these issues. The Sports Ministry has established a committee to look into the allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in sports, but many have questioned its effectiveness.
The incident involving Lovlina and Col Malik is a stark reminder of the need for change in the sports fraternity. It is imperative that the authorities take concrete action against officials who engage in discriminatory behavior and create a culture of respect and inclusivity for all athletes, regardless of their gender.
As Lovlina said, “It’s time for a change. We need a sports culture that is inclusive and respectful of all athletes, regardless of their gender. We need to create an environment where athletes can thrive without fear of discrimination or harassment.”
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