CWG 2022: Days ahead of competition boxer Lovlina Borgohain accuses BFI of mental harassment

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Birmingham, July 25: India's Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain has accused the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) of harassment. Lovlina is part of the Indian boxing contingent for the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, starting July 28.

The Assam pugilist took to her Twitter handle on Monday (July 25) and alleged that the BFI is mentally harassing her which is constantly hurting her performance. In her tweet, the pugilist claimed that efforts are being made to stall her preparations and her coach isn't allowed entry into the CWG games village.

The female boxer even claimed that her "training stopped 8 days before Commonwealth Games" and something similar happened with her during the World Championships as well. The pugilist has pleaded that she doesn't want politics to ruin her career.

In her post, Lovlina wrote, "Every time my coaches who helped me win a medal at the Olympics have been removed from my training process and competition. One of these coaches, Sandhya Gurung ji, is also a Dronacharya awardee. Despite thousands of requests, they are always allowed late for my training. This hampers my training and puts me through a lot of hardships and mental harassment.

"Now, my coach Sandhya Gurung ji is out of the Commonwealth Village as she is not allowed entry and my training has been brought to a halt eight days before the Games. My other coach has been sent back to India, despite me requesting multiple times. I don't understand how I am supposed to focus on my game. This situation ruined my performance during the last world championships also. I don't want this politics to ruin my Commonwealth Games too. I hope I can break through this politics and win a medal for my country. Jai Hind."

The Indian boxers first went to Belfast in Northern Ireland to train ahead of the showpiece event before moving to the CWG games village in Birmingham.

An official response from BFI is awaited but as per PTI report, boxing assistant coach Sandhya Gurung and sports psychologist Gayatri Vartak have been included in the Indian contingent. Dronacharya awardee Gurung is an assistant coach in the national camp and has been working closely with Lovlina.

"Sandhya Gurung and Gayatri Vartak have been included in the Indian contingent," an IOA source told PTI. Gurung, who is credited with pulling Lovlina out of a difficult mental place before the Tokyo Olympics, had travelled with the boxing contingent to Ireland where the pugilists underwent a 15-day camp.

On arrival in Birmingham, she was stuck at the airport as she was a last-minute addition to India's CWG contingent and her accreditation hadn't arrived. She was checked into the hotel where the extra officials are staying.

"Sandhya has already reached Birmingham but Gayatri is waiting for her visa which will arrive by tomorrow (July 26)," the source said.

BFI's response to the controversy

Only 33% of the playing contingent is allowed as Support Staff which in BFI's case for the 12 boxers (8 men and 4 women) stands to be 4 support staff, (including coaches) who were to travel with the team to Birmingham.

The requirements of boxing with respect to coaches and support staff is a little different as there are multiple bouts, which could be one after another. The IOA understood BFI's point of view and therefore, extended help with the maximum possible additional support staff. With IOA's help, the number of support staff went up from 4 to 8 for the entire contingent of 12 boxers.

Boxing Federation of India ensured that Sandhya Gurung was at the training camp in Ireland. BFI is closely working with IOA so that Sandhya Gurung could be a part of the team in Birmingham. In the meanwhile, delegate transport and accommodation at ETO's hotel have been already provided to her.