Olympic bronze medallist and world champion boxer Lovlina Borgohain has levelled serious allegations against Col (Retd) Arun Malik, Executive Director and interim committee member of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), accusing him of humiliating behavior during a virtual meeting.
The incident reportedly took place during a Zoom session held on July 8 under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). In a formal complaint submitted to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Borgohain claimed that Malik raised his voice at her and said, “Shut up, lower your head, and do as we say.”
The Tokyo Olympic medallist described the remarks as “deeply hurtful and disrespectful,” alleging that they reflected gender bias and a lack of basic dignity towards female athletes.
In response, Col Malik has denied the accusations, stating that the meeting was recorded, conducted professionally, and that the athlete’s concerns were taken into account as per procedure.
The IOA has since constituted a three-member inquiry committee to probe the matter, while SAI has launched an independent investigation. Officials have assured that appropriate action will be taken following the findings of both inquiries.
This is not the first time Lovlina has spoken out about challenges faced within the sporting system. The incident has sparked renewed conversation around athlete rights, gender sensitivity, and accountability in Indian sports administration.
