Lovlina's feat a source of inspiration for youth: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

 CM hands over cheque of Rs 1 crore to the pugilist

SPORTS REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma felicitated the first Assamese sportsperson to have won an Olympic medal Lovlina Borgohain at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakhsetra on Thursday.

Appreciating her feat of winning a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, the Chief Minister handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore, a citation, a seleng chadar, a xorai, a jaapi and a muga shawl.

Sarma also formally invited the boxer to join the Assam Police in the rank of DSP. He announced that the State Government would provide Rs 1 lakh every month to the pugilist till the next Olympics to enable her to prepare well.

The Chief Minister was present at the airport this morning to receive the boxer.

Sports and Youth Welfare Department today organized a programme at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in the city to felicitate the boxer. Speaking at the programme, Sarma said that Lovlina's achievement at the Olympics has done the people of Assam proud and it will be a source of inspiration for all aspiring sports talents in the state to aim higher and achieve big at the world stage.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister also said that a Rs 25-crore sports complex would be set up at Lovlina's native Sarupathar. The sports complex will include a boxing academy so that budding sports talent can develop themselves following the footsteps of Lovlina. He said that the government would name a road in Guwahati after Lovlina and pay Rs 10 lakh each to the five coaches who groomed her.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Lovlina's feat has given a sense of pride to every citizen of the State. The medal has come after 125 years, he said. Her feat will keep inspiring the young generation of the state and he hoped that Lovlina will continue to soar higher in her career, Sarma said.

The Chief Minister also mentioned other sportspersons like Arjun Bhugeswar Baruah, Talimeran Ao, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Shiva Thapa, Hima Das and others who have contributed immensely to the State in the development of sports.

Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Bimal Borah and Lovlina also spoke in today's programme. Lovlina today appealed to the parents to encourage their wards to take sports. "I can assure you that one can build one's career through sports, So, never hesitate to bring your kids to take up sports".

She added: "There are huge talents spread across the State. We can produce world champions regularly by providing them proper coaching and other facilities."

Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly Biswajit Daimary, Arjun Bhugeswar Baruah, Lovlina's father Tiken Borgohain, secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association Hemanta Kalita and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Assam Amateur Boxing Association, Assam Cricket Association and Assam Olympic Association also felicitated Lovlina at today's programme.

Also Read: WATCH | Lovlina Borgohain Relishes Home-Style Assamese Food Along with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

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