India will perform better in Paris: Birendra Prasad Baishya

AOA, AWA felicitate chef de mission of Tokyo Games

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam Olympic Association (AOA) and Assam Weightlifting Association (AWA) felicitated Birendra Prasad Baishya, chef de mission of the Indian contingent in Tokyo Olympic, in a function held at the AOA conference hall here today. The function was attended by the top officials of both the associations along with other State Sports Associations.

Sharing the memories of Tokyo Games Baishya said, "It was a very good event for India. We won seven medals and in this process our country also made the best ever performance in the history of the Olympics."

Commenting on the performance of Indian athletes in the Games Baishya said, "Before I left for Tokyo I told the local media that Lovlina is capable of winning a medal and she proved it. I was also expecting a medal from Mirabai Chanu and the girl gave us a great start by winning the first medal in the Games. Neeraj's show was the icing on the cake."

Baishya added: "During the Games I individually spoke with the athletes and tried to inspire them from time to time. What satisfied me most is that all the athletes including Neeraj Chopra, Sania Mirza, Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Lovlina... were good listeners and were very disciplined in the Games Village. They tried to follow all the instructions which helped us to keep away disturbance related to COVID-19 pandemic from our camp and we returned home safely.

Elaborating on Lovlina's performance in Tokyo the veteran sports organizer, who is also the president of the Weightlifting Federation of India, said,"She performed as per expectation. I was present at the boxing arena in Tokyo during all the bouts and it was really a nice moment for me when I saw all her bouts."

Commenting on India's performance in next Olympics, scheduled to be held in Paris in 2024, Baishya said, "It will be better than Tokyo. This time we narrowly missed a few medals in archery and shooting although we had very good teams in both the events. I am optimistic that in the next Olympics these events will also give us several medals along with other disciplines.

Among other present in today's function included secretary of the Assam Olympic Association Lakhya Konwar, Vice Presidents Rajiv Prakash Baruah, Kalyan Gogoi, Anup Choudhury and Bishnuram Nunisha, Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of India Hemanta Kalita, Secretary of the Assam Weightlifting Association Bhabajyoti Goswami and others.

Also Read: Mirabai Chanu gives us good beginning: Baishya

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