Suspended official asking Lovlina to withdraw from Nationals, alleges BFI chief

At a press conference in the national capital on Wednesday, the federation chief alleged that Kalita was not allowing boxers from his home state of Assam to participate in the women’s Nationals to be held in Greater Noida from March 21 to 27.

These developments come at a time when the process of conducting BFI’s election is facing scrutiny. The election is scheduled to be held on March 28.

“An attempt is being made to stop players from attending the women’s National championships. Assam’s players are being blocked from coming. Kalita and the state body are blocking the players. We have been told that from the players themselves. Politics is one side, but to stop players from attending a National championship is a great disservice to the sport. That is something all of us must stand against,” Ajay, who was elected to the post of BFI president in 2016, told reporters.

When asked whether that will affect the participation of Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the 59-year-old said: “Lovlina has, in fact, recorded a video of support saying that she will be participating at the championships. Our officers recently got a call from her that she has been asked by Kalita to not participate in the championships. Because she owes a lot to Assam, she is reconsidering her participation. I sincerely hope that is not true.”

Kalita, who is also the secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association, did not respond to calls seeking a reaction.