Guwahati: The Assam cabinet on Friday approved a reduction in the land premium to Re 1 for a four-bigha plot in Palasbari Revenue Circle to set up a boxing academy named after Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after the cabinet meeting, saying the proposed academy near Guwahati would provide training opportunities for young boxers in the state.
In a post on October 9, Sarma said the cabinet had cleared the way for setting up the Lovlina Boxing Academy to help aspiring athletes access better training facilities.
The decision comes days after Borgohain returned to Assam following her gold medal-winning performance in the women’s 75kg boxing category at the Asian Games in Japan.
On October 6, Sarma presented Borgohain with a cheque for Rs 50 lakh at Lok Sewa Bhawan, where she was felicitated for her achievement.
Borgohain defeated China’s Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the women’s 75kg final on October 2, winning gold on her birthday. She became the second Indian woman boxer to win an Asian Games gold medal, after MC Mary Kom achieved the feat in 2014.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist had previously won silver in the same category at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Borgohain received a welcome at Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport upon her return. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Biswajit Daimary, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, family members and supporters were among those present. A Congress delegation led by senior leader Pranati Phukan also felicitated her at the airport.