The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has initiated an inquiry into serious allegations made by Olympic bronze medalist and world champion boxer Lovlina Borgohain against Col Arun Malik, the Executive Director of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). Lovlina has accused Malik of displaying “disrespectful” and “gender-discriminatory” behavior during a virtual meeting earlier this year.
According to sources in SAI, the complaint is being taken “very seriously,” and a formal report will be prepared once the inquiry is completed.
The Complaint: A Question of Dignity
Lovlina’s formal grievance, addressed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, SAI Director General, the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) division, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the BFI, paints a troubling picture of her interaction with Malik on July 8 during a Zoom meeting attended by senior officials from SAI and TOPS.
During the meeting, Lovlina had requested that her coach, who was also present in the virtual call, be allowed entry into the national camp and to accompany her for overseas training in Europe. Such requests, however, run counter to BFI policy, which mandates uniformity in training arrangements.
Lovlina alleges that Malik reacted with hostility, using a demeaning tone. He blatantly told me to ‘shut up, lower your head, and do as we say.’
His words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance — something that no woman, especially one who has brought honour to the nation, should have to endure,” she wrote in her complaint.
The 26-year-old boxer stressed that this was not just a personal insult but an affront to every woman athlete striving to stand tall in her sport. She called for a fair and swift inquiry and necessary disciplinary action if Malik’s actions are found to violate acceptable conduct.
The BFI’s Response
Col Arun Malik, in his written reply, categorically denied all allegations, calling them “devoid of any merit.” He argued that Lovlina’s requests were considered but had to be respectfully declined as they clashed with BFI’s official guidelines.
As per the BFI’s Selection Policy (January 2025), all athletes must participate in the National Coaching Camp to be eligible for evaluation and selection for international competitions. In the interest of fairness and uniformity, personal coaches or support staff are not permitted inside the National Camp,” Malik stated.
He has also asked the inquiry committee to expedite proceedings and requested access to the video recording of the meeting.
Inquiry Process & Delays
The IOA has formed a three-member panel to look into the matter. The members are:
- N S Johal, CEO of TOPS
- Sharath Kamal, vice-chairperson of the IOA Athletes’ Commission
- A woman advocate
The entire interaction between Lovlina and Malik was recorded, which could make the fact-finding process relatively straightforward. However, despite the urgency, the panel has yet to convene a meeting due to prior commitments of its members.
The meeting will be held soon. Since there is a video record of the chain of events, it will not be a very complicated matter to resolve,” one panel member said.
Lovlina’s Stand: Focus on the Ring
For now, Lovlina has chosen to refrain from further public comment, emphasizing that she does not want the controversy to distract her from training.
Don’tt want to focus on this right now because it will affect my game. I will comment only after the committee’s decision,” she said.
As the boxing fraternity watches closely, the incident has triggered wider conversations on athlete rights, gender sensitivity in sports administration, and the balance between policy and individual needs in elite sports preparation.
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