Sonowal presents cheque of Rs 10 lakh to boxer Ankushita Bodo

The young boxer from Assam won a gold medal in 64 category and ‘Boxer of the Championship’ title in the recently concluded AIBA World Youth Women Boxing Championship.

Speaking at the felicitation programme, Sonowal said that, sports is the most potential zone in Assam and the youth of the state have a natural knack for it.

“The state government would leave no stone unturned to provide the best possible facilities to the young sportspersons. We will extend support to all the sportspersons who have already made the state proud in international events,” Sonowal said.

He also assured to provide necessary assistance to Boxer Minu Basumatary and Phoulau Basumatary who also won medals in the AIBA World Youth Women Championship earlier but failed to receive any recognition so far.

Further, congratulating Ankushita Bodo on her recent feat, Sonowal advised her to work hard with perseverance to emerge as a disciplined sportsperson and win more medals in international and world championships and bring glory to Assam.

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“Ankushita Bodo’s achievement is a great inspiration for the young generation of Assam and has entrenched people’s faith in the abilities of our sportspersons. The positive environment which has been generated by her success is our greatest achievement,” Sonowal said adding that the talented boxer’s journey has just begun and she would have to maintain discipline, strong character and sportsmanship spirit to excel more in future.

Further saying that sports has universal appeal and successful sportspersons like Pele and Maradona are appreciated world over, the Assam CM also vowed to create more conducive environment in the state for promotion of sports.

Sonowal sought support from people of the state in Govt’s endeavour to make Assam as the sports capital of the country and identifying sports talents from rural areas.

He observed that successful promotion of sports is possible through public-private partnership only and mentioned that he has already directed the Sports Department to formulate a sports policy for the state.

Boxer Ankushita Bodo while sharing her experience apprised the Chief Minister about the challenges faced by sportspersons from Assam in the national camps and sought his intervention.

She also requested the Assam CM to take steps for bringing the coach under whom she went through training for the AIBA Championship from Delhi to Assam and expressed her desire to prepare herself for forthcoming events from the state only.

Sonowal assured the talented boxer to extend all help and informed that the state Sports Department would take necessary action on the issues raised by her.

Minister of State for Sports Naba Kumar Doley, Chief Minister’s Media Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami, Legal Adviser Santanu Bharali, Vice-Chairperson, Sports Authority of Assam Queen Ojah, Director of Sports Pabitra Ram Khaund, parents of Ankushita Bodo and officials of the Sports Department were also present in the felicitation ceremony.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)