Assam Olympic Association Rallies Support for Boxer Lovlina Borgohain Ahead of Paris 2024

The Assam Olympic Association organized a signature campaign to support boxer Lovlina Borgohain as she competes in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Various dignitaries attended, including Minister Pijush Hazarika, who praised Lovlina’s achievements and emphasized the government’s efforts to promote sports.

The Assam Olympic Association (AOA) organized a special signature campaign on Thursday to send best wishes to Khel Ratna awardee Lovlina Borgohain, the ace boxer from Golaghat. She will be competing for gold in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. Scores of people participated, signing a flex wall to extend their support to Borgohain, who already boasts a bronze medal from Tokyo 2020.

The event was graced by high-profile attendees, including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pijush Hazarika; Arjuna Awardee Monalisa Barooah Mehta; AOA General Secretary Lakhya Konwar; and Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of India, Hemanta Kalita, among others. Hazarika expressed immense pride in Borgohain's achievements, highlighting how she put Assam on the Olympic map. 'Till Lovlina, Assam did not have an Olympic Champion but today, thanks to her brilliant effort, we have a medal,' said Hazarika. He extended his heartiest wishes to her and expressed confidence in her potential to secure gold in Paris.

The event also spotlighted other sporting talents. Sanjana Baruah from Jorhat, the first Indian to become a Jury Member in the Shooting segment for the upcoming Paralympics, was felicitated. Renowned swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika shared his aspirations to cross the Gulf of Gonsk in Poland, aiming to become the first Indian to accomplish this feat. Hazarika also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership for creating a supportive ecosystem enabling athletes to thrive.

Additionally, an audio-visual presentation by the Assam Olympic Association highlighted India's journey in the Olympics and the prospects for the upcoming games in Paris. Specific focus was given to Lovlina Borgohain, showcasing her journey from a village in Assam to the global stage. Arjuna Monalisa Barooah Mehta praised the initiative, calling it a morale booster for current and future athletes. 'Lovlina Borgohain has given Assam its first Olympic medal, an elusive honour for the people of the state,' said Mehta, extending her best wishes to Borgohain for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Also speaking at the event, Lakhya Konwar noted the historic significance of Paris hosting the Olympics a century later, congratulating another Assamese talent, Pranamika Bora, for her role as a coach mentor in the Indian contingent. Konwar expressed optimism about India's chances to win a record number of medals, urging young athletes to learn from the event. 'Our young and budding athletes must learn from this event,' he said, emphasizing the importance of supporting athletes like Lovlina Borgohain.