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 accused BFI (Boxing Federation of India) executive director Col Arun Malik of humiliating her and undermining her achievements during a Zoom meeting. The meeting, which was attended by SAI (Sports Authority of India) and TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) officials, has left Lovlina feeling disrespected and demotivated.
According to Lovlina, Col Arun Malik told her to “shut up, lower your head and do as we say” during the meeting. She claimed that his words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory dominance. This incident has sparked a huge controversy, with many calling for an inquiry into the matter.
Lovelina Borgohain, who won the bronze medal in the women’s welterweight category at the Tokyo Olympics, has been a trailblazer for Indian women’s boxing. Her achievements have inspired countless young girls and women to take up the sport. However, her recent experience with the BFI executive director has left her feeling belittled and disrespected.
The incident reportedly occurred during a meeting where Lovlina was discussing her training and preparation for the next Olympics. However, things took a turn for the worse when Col Arun Malik allegedly started questioning her training methods and told her to “shut up, lower your head and do as we say”. Lovlina was taken aback by his behavior and felt humiliated and belittled.
“It was a very uncomfortable and disturbing experience for me,” Lovlina said in an interview. “He (Col Arun Malik) was yelling at me, telling me to shut up and lower my head. His words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory dominance. It was like he was trying to assert his dominance over me.”
Lovelina’s accusations have sparked a huge controversy, with many calling for an inquiry into the matter. The IOA (Indian Olympic Association) has announced that it will conduct an inquiry into the incident and take necessary action.
“This kind of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in sports or any other field,” said IOA Secretary General, Rajeev Mehta. “We will conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and take necessary action to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.”
Lovelina’s teammates and fellow athletes have also rallied around her, condemning the behavior of Col Arun Malik. “We stand in solidarity with Lovlina and condemn the behavior of Col Arun Malik,” said boxer Simranjit Kaur B. “We believe that all athletes deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their gender or achievements.”
The incident has also raised questions about the culture of sports in India. While India has made significant progress in sports in recent years, there is still a long way to go in terms of promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity.
“This incident is a wake-up call for all of us,” said sports commentator and former athlete, Geet Sethi. “We need to ensure that our athletes are treated with respect and dignity, and that we promote a culture of inclusivity and respect in sports.”
Lovelina’s story is a reminder that even in the world of sports, gender discrimination and harassment can occur. It is up to us to create a culture where all athletes feel respected and valued, regardless of their gender or achievements.
As the investigation into the incident continues, Lovlina remains committed to her sport and her country. “I will not let this incident deter me from my goals,” she said. “I will continue to work hard and do my best to represent India on the international stage.”
In the meantime, the BFI has issued a statement apologizing for the incident and promising to take necessary action. “We apologize for the incident and assure that we will take necessary action to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” said BFI Secretary General, Hemanta Kumar Dutta.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of the BFI and the IOA in promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity in sports. While the BFI has apologized for the incident, many are calling for a more comprehensive approach to addressing gender discrimination and harassment in sports.
As the debate continues, Lovlina’s story serves as a reminder that we must do better to promote a culture of respect and inclusivity in sports. We must ensure that our athletes are treated with dignity and respect, and that we create an environment where all athletes feel valued and supported.
