Guwahati,jul 25
The Assam Olympic Association (AOA) organized a special signature campaign on Thursday to send best wishes to Khel Ratna Lovlina Borgohain, the ace boxing sensation from a remote village in Golaghat, as she competes for gold in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.The event witnessed scores of people signing on a flex wall and sending their best wishes to the ace boxer, who secured a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020 Olympics in welterweight category. The event was attended by Pijush Hazarika, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Water Resources; Information & Public Relations, Social Justice, Govt of Assam; the Arjuna Awardee Monalisa Barooah Mehta; the General Secretary of AOA, Lakhya Konwar; the Secretary General, Boxing Federation of India, Hemanta Kalita among others dignitaries including sportspersons, support staff, & others.
Speaking on the occasion, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika said that, it is a moment of great pride for all of us in Assam that a girl from a remote village in Golaghat has been able to compete at the world stage and to have won an Olympic Medal for the country.
“Till Lovlina, Assam did not have an Olympic Champion but today, thanks to her brilliant effort, we have a medal. This is a matter of great pride for people of Assam. Today, we have got together here to send our best wishes to this boxing Ace who is competing again at the Summer Olympics in Paris. I extend my heartiest wish and best of luck to Lovlina Borgohain, who I am sure will give befitting fight to win the elusive Gold for the country. I pray to Maa Kamakhya for her success. I’m 100% confident that Lovlina will secure a medal. But, in sports, there may be change in friction of a second. Whatever it may be, we must stand with our athletes and support them in every way possible. Lets join to send our love, wishes and support to our athletes as they fight hard to win laurels for the country,” Pijush Hazarika said.The event also witnessed felicitation of Sanjana Baruah from Jorhat who became the first Indian to become a Jury Member in the Shooting segment in the upcoming Paralympics.Renowned Swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika was also felicitated when Hazarika shared his plans to cross the Gulf of Gonsk in Poland, known for its freezing water, as he aims to become the first Indian to successfully complete this.Adding further, Hazarika said, “There was a time, 15 to 20 years ago, when we, the countrymen, used to lament at the lack, or worse, absence, of any medal in the Olympics. This has changed under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who provided an ecosystem that would support and encourage the players in the country. Today, we have reasonable hope that India, with its strong 117-member team, will win medals and give a befitting fight in all its events. This has been made possible due to important steps taken by the government to develop the sporting ecosystem of the country.” “I also thank the Union Minister and President of Assam Olympic Association, Sarbananda Sonowal for his pursuit to provide all possible support to our athletes in their quest to win for the country. Our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is also providing all kinds of support for the promotion and propagation of sports, which has created a healthy sporting environment in the state. We have a great team of support, managerial and policymakers that are working tirelessly for the elevation of sports and sporting talents of the state to rise and shine in the national and international level,” Hazarika said.During the programme, an audio video presentation by the Assam Olympic Association was shown to the august audience to showcase the journey of India in the Olympics as well as highlighting prospects of the India in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. Another audio video presentation on Lovlina Borgohain was also shown, which shared her journey on becoming a world class Olympian and sportsperson from Assam.
