Boxers, including Lovlina, being stopped from competing in Nationals

New Delhi: Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh on Wednesday alleged that Assam boxers, including Olympic bronze-winner LovlinaBorgohain, are being stopped from participating in the National Championships by suspended BFI secretary general HemantaKalita, who refuted the charge.

In an “emergency press conference” here, Singh said that the Tokyo Games medallist in the 69kg category is keen to participate in the marquee domestic event starting Thursday in Greater Noida but has been asked to withdraw by Kalita.

Kalita, who has been found guilty of financial mismanagement in an inquiry conducted by former Delhi High Court judge Sudhir Kumar Jain, holds the secretary’s position in the Assam body. “Assam is discouraging players from participating in the women’s Nationals,” Singh said. “Lovlina has recorded a video of support. But officers have received a call that she has been asked by HemantaKalita not to participate. Because she owes a lot to Assam boxing, she is reconsidering her participation. “We have been hearing that a lot of tickets are being cancelled (both) train and air,” Singh added. However, Kalita said the charges were baseless and the dispute was over the dates of the tournament. “This is all being done to malign me. I have done no such thing. Since the beginning, state units were unhappy with the dates of the women’s nationals. Several states had written to BFI as well,” Kalita told PTI.

The BFI has received entries from 22 states but it remains to be seen how many boxers turn up for the National Championships, being held after close to two years. Talking about his suspension, Kalita maintained his innocence and said he will be contesting the decision.

“I will be challenging this. If any misappropriation of funds has occurred, the president should be held guilty, as he is the one who signs all the cheques. “Additionally, it was agreed during the Executive Committee meeting that the Ethics Committee would investigate the matter. Why, then, was a judge appointed for the task?” he questioned. Singh, however, insisted that he was well within his rights to call for an investigation.

“When I was asked by the SAI (Sports Authority of India) to look into the complaint, I took the matter to the Executive Committee and said we need to have a proper investigation and they (secretary and treasurer) agreed. They were part of the meeting and agreed. “The minutes of the EC meeting are available and there was no request for the inquiry to go to the Ethics Commission,” Singh said.