Tokyo Olympics medalist Lovlina Borgohain has alleged mental harassment by the authorities in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Lovlina said one of her coaches has been denied entry to the Commonwealth Games Village while another one has been sent home. The celebrated boxer said she had to plead to be included in the training camp in the lead-up to the multi-national Games.
Lovlina Borgohain took to social media to share details of the alleged mistreatment that she has been subject to, saying it has heavily affected her training for the Commonwealth Games. Notably, Lovlina won the trails held by the Boxing Federation of India in June to book a berth in the 70kg category for the CWG in Birmingham.
Lovlina said her training has been 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," Lovlina said in a tweet.
"I have to face a lot of issues in these training camps and this causes mental harassment as well. Right now my coach Sandhya Gurungji is outside Commonwealth Village and she is not getting entry. My training process was stopped eight days ahead of the Games.
"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. But I don't want to spoil my CWG because of this politics. I hope I can break this politics for my country and bring a medal as well," Lovlina added.
Lovlina scripted history in Tokyo last year by winning a bronze medal in the Welterweight category. The 24-year-old from Assam was out for close to 9 months after her Tokyo Games high.