Lovlina and other boxers from Assam being asked not to show up at senior Nationals, alleges boxing federation chief

NEW DELHI: Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) senior women’s national championship has run into trouble. Due to the squabbling between officials preceding the sports body’s elections, the country’s premier female pugilists have been compelled to endure the consequences.
On Wednesday, BFI president Ajay Singh, who is aspiring for a third consecutive term as the federation’s top boss, made startling allegations against the office-bearers of several member state associations, accusing them of intimidating and preventing the boxers from participating in the senior Nationals, scheduled in Greater Noida from March 20 to 27.
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Singh alleged that BFI’s now suspended secretary general Hemanta Kalita is intimidating boxers from his home state of Assam, including Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, telling them not to compete at the Nationals.
Despite BFI receiving Lovlina’s entry by name in the 69kg category for the event and the boxer herself posting a video on social media affirming her participation and expressing support for the Nationals, Singh alleged that the three-time World Championships medallist has been warned by Kalita of consequences should she compete.
Understandably, Lovlina is now reassessing her decision and sources disclosed she has withdrawn from the competition.
“Assam is discouraging players from participating at the Nationals. The Assam boxing association has blocked their entries. Lovlina had recorded a video of support for the championship but officers in BFI have received calls that she has been asked by Kalita not to participate. Because she owes a lot to Assam boxing, she is reconsidering her participation. It’s a shame that the players have been stopped from competing. We have been hearing that numerous tickets are being cancelled, both train and air,” Singh alleged.
Kalita, who holds the post of secretary general in Assam boxing, denied all such allegations.
“This has been done to malign my image. If they have any proof that I have stopped boxers from Assam from competing at the Nationals, then Singh and BFI office-bearers should make the evidence public," said Kalita.
"BFI is holding its elections and that itself raises the question as to who would sign the certificates and officiate. Further, there cannot be any sanction or release of TA/DA to officials as per the present situation. Some people have resorted to misleading tactics,” he added..