IBA put athlete-first policy in every event: Lovlina Borgohain

Lausanne: Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who is also a Chairwoman of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Athletes’ Committee and an IBA Board of Directors member, said that the governing body has always put an athlete-first policy in organising every tournament.

"IBA has always put an athlete-first policy in organizing each and every tournament, which I believe is paramount. As a head of the Athletes’ Committee, I believe that all boxers need to be heard and satisfied to the fullest discretion. I will strive for that," IBA quoted Lovlina as saying.

The 25-year-old light middleweight (70kg) boxer returned to international events after a nine-month break and competed at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul and participated in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

"I was as excited as any athlete could get to participate in the Commonwealth Games. The arrangement and organization of the whole tournament were very nice in Birmingham. My contests were good, I was also confident this time, but I couldn’t win a medal for my country, and I am very disappointed with that. I want to change my weight first, as per my coaches’ suggestions. Once the coaches decide and think I am ready to participate in the international championships again, I guess they will choose the next tournament for me," said Borgohain.

The 25-year-old light middleweight (70kg) boxer returned to international events after a nine-month break. She competed at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul and participated in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as one of the members of the Indian boxing team.

‘I was as excited as any athlete could get to participate in the Commonwealth Games. The arrangement and organization of the whole tournament were very nice in Birmingham. My contests were good, I was also confident this time, but I couldn’t win a medal for my country, and I am very disappointed with that," said Lovlina.

"I want to change my weight first, as per my coaches’ suggestions. Once the coaches decide and think I am ready to participate in the international championships again, I guess they will choose the next tournament for me."

Commenting on her new position on the IBA Board of Directors, she said: "I am honored that I was elected to serve on the IBA Board. It gives a different perspective and an immense opportunity to grow and learn a new approach, not just to boxing but far vaster at the management level. I still have a lot to learn from other Board members. I need to step in their shoes first to understand how everything works. They have been doing a superb job already."

Lovlina has won medals as a junior and youth boxer before he was invited to the elite national team in 2017. She has bagged two bronze medals at the World Boxing Championships at the 2018 New Delhi and the 2019 Ulan-Ude editions. (UNI)