Want to inspire young kids, says Lovlina Borgohain

Lovlina Borgohain in Guwahati
Lovlina Borgohain file photo

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain said that she would like to inspire the youngsters of Assam to take up sports seriously. Lovlina, who arrived at her homeland first time after winning the medal, said that she wants to meet the kids and let them touch the medal.

“I have a wish. When I come back, I want to meet the young kids,” Lovlina said on August 13 before her departure for New Delhi to take part in a special programme during the Independence Day.

She arrived in Guwahati on August 12 and attended several events.

“I want them (kids) to touch the Olympics medal and feel it. Maybe it will inspire them to be world champions in future. When I was a kid, when I learnt about the Olympics, I too wanted to touch the medal and feel it. But I didn’t get that opportunity. So, I want to give that opportunity to them,” Lovlina continued.

Assam government on August 12 felicitated the pugilist who became the first from Assam to win an Olympic medal and also the first female athlete to represent the country in the ‘greatest show on earth’.

On the changes after she won the medal, Lovlina said that nothing has changed expect people’s love.

“I remain the same but people have started loving me more because of the medal,” said a smiling Lovlina.

She also said that in India, sports should be included as a part of education. “I believe, there can be more Olympic medals from India in future. And for that to happen, sports should be made a part of the education system. It shouldn’t be just extracurricular activities,” Lovlina said.

“In other countries, sport is compulsory in their education system. Our kids too can work hard but parents are worried about their future. There should be a system where students can get graduation in sports so that it can help them to get a secured future.”

Earlier on August 12, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore and invited the boxer to join Assam Police in the rank of DSP and announced that the state government would provide Rs 1 lakh every month to the pugilist till next Olympics so that she can prepare well.

Sarma also said that a sports complex would be set up at Lovlina’s native Sarupathar for Rs 25 crore which will include a boxing academy so that budding sports talents can develop themselves following the footsteps of Lovlina.

A road in Guwahati would also be named after Lovlina and four coaches who helped in the development of Lovlina as a world class boxer would be provided Rs 10 lakh each for their contributions, he informed.

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