India’s pride & Assam’s daughter Lovlina accorded warm welcome; CM presents ₹1cr & DSP post

Aug 12: It was indeed a day of jubilation as India’s pride & Assam’s daughter Lovlina Borgohain returned back to the state after winning bronze medal in Tokyo Olympics. Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma along with some his cabinet colleagues apart from government officials received Lovlina at Guwahati Airport on Thursday morning. Lovlina lost her semi-final against Turkey’s Busenaz Surmeneli in welterweight women’s boxing at the Tokyo Olympics and settled for a bronze medal. She is the first woman boxer from Assam to quality for the Olympics and win a medal.

Welcoming the states star Olympian medalist Lovlina Borgohai at Guwahati airport, the Chief Minister stated that  Lovlina has ignited a billion dreams with her success in Tokyo Olympics, 2020 and set an example for budding sports talents in rural areas to aspire for achieving big at the world stage. She was accorded a grand welcome by the Chief Minister with traditional Assamese ‘gamosa’, ‘jhapi’ and a bouquet. 

Glad to have felicitated our pride @LovlinaBorgohai, the 1st from Assam to win an Olympic medal, on behalf of state’s people & GoA at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.

Her success at #TokyoOlympics would remain etched as a milestone in the sporting history of Assam & India. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/RUyRKZ0HH2

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 12, 2021

Later on during the day, a grand felicitation programme was organised by the state government in honour of Lovlina Borgohain at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati. Apart from Lovlina and the Chief Minister, the programme was also graced by Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Biswajit Daimary, Sports Minister Bimal Borah, MLAs, former athlete & coach ‘Arjun’ Bhogeswar Baruah; Lovlina’s father Tiken Borgohain among others. 

Speaking at the felicitation ceremony of Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain https://t.co/Sy6lh94Qw8

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 12, 2021

Speaking during the occasion, Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Glad to have felicitated our pride @LovlinaBorgohai, the 1st from Assam to win an Olympic medal, on behalf of state’s people & GoA at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. Her success at #TokyoOlympics would remain etched as a milestone in the sporting history of Assam & India.” 

The Chief Minister further stated, “A sports complex worth Rs 25 cr will be built at Lovlina Borgohain’s native Sarupathar, to help local youth excel in sports. A road in Guwahati will also be named after our star player Lovlina. Her 5 coaches will also be felicitated with Rs 10 Lakh each.” During the felicitation ceremony, the 23-year-old pugilist was awarded Rs 1 crore by the state government. Meanwhile, CM Sarma, during his speech, urged Assam police to give Lovlina a post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).