Lovlina Borgohain, a Tokyo Olympics medalist, has accused authorities of mental harassment in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Lovlina stated that one of her coaches was refused entry to the Commonwealth Games Village, while another was sent home. The celebrated boxer stated that she had to beg to be included in the multi-national Games training camp.
Lovlina Borgohain took to social media to share details of the alleged mistreatment she has endured, claiming it has had a significant impact on her training for the Commonwealth Games. Notably, Lovlina won the Boxing Federation of India trials in June to secure a spot in the 70kg category at the CWG in Birmingham.
Lovlina said that her training has been affected just eight days before her event at the Commonwealth Games.
“With great sadness, I wish to inform you that I am the victim of harassment. The coaches who assisted me in winning an Olympic medal were fired, which hampered my training process. Sandhya Gurungji, a Dronacharya awardee, is one of the coaches. Both of my coaches had to beg to be included in the training camp, and they were only added at the last minute,” Lovlina stated in a tweet.
“I have to deal with a lot of problems in these training camps, which causes mental harassment.” My coach, Sandhya Gurungji, is currently outside Commonwealth Village, unable to enter. My training was halted eight days before the Games.
“My second coach was returned to India. Despite my numerous requests, I was subjected to mental harassment. I’m not sure how I should concentrate on the Games because my previous World Championships were also ruined as a result of this. But I don’t want my CWG to be ruined by politics. I hope to break this political cycle for my country and bring home a medal as well “Lovlina added.
Last year, Lovlina made history by winning a bronze medal in the Welterweight category in Tokyo. The 24-year-old from Assam was out for close to 9 months after her Tokyo Games high.
