Indian Olympian Lovlina alleges mental harassment ahead of Commonwealth Games

Tokyo Olympics medalist Lovlina Borgohain has alleged mental harassment by the authorities just prior to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She said one of her coaches has been denied entry to the Commonwealth Games Village while another one has been sent home. The Indian Olympian said she had to plead to be included in the training camp in the lead-up to the multi-national Games.

Lovlina took to social media and shared details of the alleged mistreatment that she has been subject to, saying it has heavily affected her training for the Tourney. Notably, Lovlina won the trails held by the Boxing Federation of India in June and booked a berth in the 70kg category for the CWG in Birmingham.

Lovlina added her training has been deeply impacted just 8 days ahead of her event at the Commonwealth Games.

“Today with great sorrow I want to reveal that harassment is going on with me. The coaches who helped me win the Olympic medal were removed which hindered my training process. One of the coaches is Sandhya Gurungji, who is a Dronacharya awardee. Both of my coaches have to plead to be included in the training camp and they are added quite late,” she tweeted.

https://twitter.com/LovlinaBorgohai/status/1551520397832720385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener
“My second coach has been sent back to India. In spite of requesting so much I had to face mental harassment. I don’t understand how should I focus on the Games as due to this my last World Championships was also spoiled,” She added.

Lovlina made India proud in Tokyo last year by winning a bronze medal in the Welterweight category. The boxer from Assam was out for close to 9 months after her Tokyo Games high.

The 24 year-old suffered a setback at the World Championships in Istanbul as she was ousted in the pre-quarterfinals. Competing in her first international event since her Tokyo heroics, Lovlina lost to Cindy Ngamba of Fair Chance Team (FCT) 1-4.

“My preparation (for the World Championships) wasn’t that good. After the Olympics, a lot of things have changed. I had to give time to many things, fulfil commitments,” Lovlina had earlier said.

The Indian boxer will be looking to make a statement at the Commonwealth Games and put behind the disappointment of the world meet from earlier this year.