Lovlina Borgohain: Victim of gender bias or BFI ire over personal coach request?

The allegation of gender bias in Indian sports officialdom is nothing new. This time, it just happens to involve Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain. Her accusation of a Boxing Federation of India (BFI) top honcho displaying “disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour” has gone viral in the national media — forcing the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to jump into damage control mode.

It's been nearly a month since the IOA formed a three-member panel to probe the Assamese ace’s allegations, but a report is yet to be submitted. The panel includes TOPS (Target Podium Olympic Scheme) CEO N.S. Johal, IOA athletes commission vice-chairperson and table tennis ace Sharath Kamal, and a woman advocate.

In light of the wrestlers’ controversy that dominated sporting headlines throughout 2023 and India’s aspirations of bidding for the 2036 Olympics, the IOA can ill afford to brush such an allegation under the carpet. But what triggered the accusation?

Borhogain, reigning middle-weight world champion, said BFI executive director Col. Arun Malik “humiliated [her] and undermined” her achievements during a Zoom meeting on 8 July, which was attended by SAI and TOPS officials as well. Meanwhile, the boxer had requested that her personal coach, who was also present in the online meeting, be allowed in the national camp — something that goes against the BFI policy. She also wanted the coach to be allowed to travel with her to train in Europe ahead of the World Championships in Liverpool in September.

“He (Malik) blatantly told me to ‘Shut up, lower your head and do as we say’,” Borgohain stated in her complaint addressed to union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the SAI director general, TOPS, IOA and BFI. “His words were not only disrespectful but also carried an alarming tone of gender-discriminatory and authoritarian dominance — something that no one, especially a woman who has brought honour to the nation, should be subjected to.”

“I was made to feel small, unheard and powerless. It was not just a personal insult — it was an attack on every woman athlete who dreams of standing tall, both in and outside the ring,” Borgohain continued in her complaint.

Malik, meanwhile, “categorically and unequivocally” denied the allegations, calling them “devoid’’ of any merit. “Lovlina’s requests were considered and respectfully declined, as they are inconsistent with the policies of the Boxing Federation of India. As per BFI’s Selection Policy published in January 2025, it is mandatory for all athletes to participate in the national coaching camp to be considered for evaluation and selection for international competitions,” Malik said in his reply.

The recording of the zoom call — the IOA panel has the footage, reportedly — surely holds the key.

“BFI, in the interest of fairness and uniformity, does not permit personal coaches or support staff within the national camp,’’ Malik added.

Incidentally, Borgohain also missed the women’s nationals in March, as the Assam state body refused to send on her entry due to infighting within the BFI.

Borgohain, who participates in the 75 kg class, and Nikhat Zareen, have both been named in the Indian squad for the Worlds, however.