Sarma said the achievement was a matter of pride for Assam and the country and would inspire a new generation of athletes
KRC TIMES Assam Bureau
GUWAHATI | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 6 felicitated boxer Lovlina Borgohain and presented her with a cheque for Rs 50 lakh following her gold medal-winning performance at the Asian Games in Japan.
Borgohain was honoured at Lok Sewa Bhawan after returning to Assam following her victory in the women’s 75kg boxing category. Sarma said the achievement was a matter of pride for Assam and the country and would inspire a new generation of athletes.
The boxer had earlier received a warm welcome at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, where Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Biswajit Daimary, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, family members and supporters gathered to receive her.
Speaking at the airport, Saikia described Borgohain’s victory as a major achievement for Assam. He noted that India had won 21 gold medals at the Asian Games and highlighted the contribution of the Assam boxer.
“Recently in the Asian Games, India won 21 gold medals. Among them, Assam’s daughter Lovlina Borgohain won a medal in boxing,” Saikia said. Members of the BJP, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and several young supporters were present at the airport reception.
The Assam Congress also felicitated Borgohain during her arrival. A delegation led by senior Congress leader Pranati Phukan welcomed her with a gamosa, bouquet and jaapi. Senior leaders Bipul Gogoi, Bedabrata Bora, Udit Bhanu Das, Gunakanta Gogoi, Mousumi Neog and Debajit Deka were among those present.
Borgohain won the Asian Games gold on October 2, which also marked her birthday. She defeated China’s Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the final of the women’s 75kg category. With the victory, Borgohain became only the second Indian woman boxer to win an Asian Games gold medal after MC Mary Kom achieved the feat in 2014.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist had previously won a silver medal in the same category at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.Speaking to reporters at Guwahati airport, Borgohain thanked the people of Assam for their continued support and encouragement.
