Guwahati: As Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has been enlisted as a trainee deputy superintendent (DySP) in the Assam Police, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded confidence that she will get inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre in due course.
An emotional Borgohain thanked the police department and affirmed that she will put in her best efforts to bring more glory to the state.
Speaking at the programme, Sarma said Borgohain winning bronze in boxing at last year's Tokyo Olympics was perhaps one of the most glorious moments of the state's sporting history. Given the pugilist's age, she should be able to secure a top position within Assam Police Service (APS) someday and subsequently make it to IPS cadre, Sarma maintained.
"We recommend the brightest APS officers for the IPS cadre. She will automatically qualify for it, provided she completes her graduation in the meantime," Sarma stated.
READ:INTERVIEW: 'Happy with Bronze', Lovlina aims 'dream' Gold medal at Paris Olympics
The chief minister exhorted the 24-year-old to set a shining example of equal dedication to her other responsibilities as well. Besides her monthly salary, Lovlina will be given additional Rs 1 lakh per month for her training expenses, he said.
If it gets difficult for her to continue training at Patiala in Punjab, the state government might think of bringing an international-level coach for her to Guwahati, he promised. "We will also soon name a road in Guwahati after Lovlina," Sarma said.
Referring to the enlistment of other sportspersons in the Assam Police since last year, in line with the state's new policy, Sarma said sports should not be viewed as a co-curricular activity anymore. "Earlier, parents used to dissuade their children from pursuing sports after a certain age as there was no guarantee of a successful career even if someone excelled in a discipline. We want to change that. We want to prove that sports itself can be a career," he asserted.