The Assam Cabinet on Friday approved the allotment of four bighas of land under the Palasbari Revenue Circle at a nominal premium of Re 1 for the proposed Lovlina Boxing Academy, an initiative aimed at nurturing emerging boxing talent in the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision following the Cabinet meeting, expressing hope that the academy would provide aspiring boxers with access to quality training facilities and help Assam produce athletes capable of achieving success at national and international competitions.
In a social media post, Sarma said the approval marked an important step towards establishing the academy near Guwahati. The facility is expected to strengthen the state's sports infrastructure and create greater opportunities for young athletes to pursue professional boxing.
The Cabinet's decision comes after Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain returned to Assam following her gold medal-winning performance in the women's 75-kg boxing category at the Asian Games in Japan.
Borgohain secured the gold medal on October 2, defeating China's Bao Ziyi by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the final. The victory, which came on her birthday, marked a significant milestone in her sporting career.
With this achievement, Borgohain became the second Indian woman boxer to win an Asian Games gold medal, following M.C. Mary Kom, who claimed the title in 2014. Borgohain had earlier won a silver medal in the same weight category at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Recognising her achievement, Sarma felicitated the boxer at Lok Sewa Bhawan on October 6 and presented her with a cheque of Rs 50 lakh. The Chief Minister described her success as a matter of national pride and said it would motivate young people to take up sports.
Her return to Assam was marked by a warm reception at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Biswajit Daimary, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, family members and supporters were present to welcome her. A Congress delegation led by senior leader Pranati Phukan also felicitated the champion boxer.
The proposed Lovlina Boxing Academy is expected to provide a dedicated platform for young boxers to develop their skills, access professional coaching and prepare for competitive events.
The initiative also reflects the state government's broader efforts to promote sporting excellence and encourage more young athletes from Assam to represent India on the international stage.
