CM Himanta backs Lovlina, Mirabai for CWG 2026
Synopsis
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 24 July 2026 cheered on the Indian contingent at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, spotlighting Olympic medallists Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu as the team's leading faces ahead of the multi-sport event.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on 24 July 2026 publicly backed the Indian contingent ahead of Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland .
He specifically named Lovlina Borgohain (Assam) and Mirabai Chanu (Manipur) — both 2020 Tokyo Olympic medallists — as the contingent's leading figures.
Lovlina Borgohain won a bronze medal in boxing's welterweight category at the Tokyo Olympics; Mirabai Chanu won silver in women's 49 kg weightlifting.
The Glasgow Games were reassigned after Victoria, Australia withdrew as the original host.
The Assam government has invested in boxing and weightlifting academies since 2016 , forming part of the policy backdrop to the region's sporting rise.
Sarma also serves as convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) , making his spotlight on Northeast athletes politically significant beyond sport.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 24 July 2026, extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent heading to the Commonwealth Games 2026, specifically calling out Olympic medallists Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu as standard-bearers for the nation.
Context
Sarma posted on X urging the Indian squad to 'bring home the glory,' singling out two athletes who have deep roots in the Northeast — boxer Lovlina Borgohain from Assam and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu from Manipur. The post comes as the Indian contingent prepares to compete at the Commonwealth Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland. The Games were awarded to Glasgow after the original host, Victoria, Australia, withdrew from its hosting commitment.
Policy Backdrop
The Assam state government has expanded sports infrastructure and talent-identification programmes since 2016, with particular focus on boxing and weightlifting academies. Lovlina Borgohain emerged from this ecosystem, winning a bronze medal in the welterweight category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — one of India's most celebrated performances at the Games. Mirabai Chanu, representing Manipur, claimed a silver medal in the women's 49 kg weightlifting event at the same Olympics, opening India's medal tally on the first day of competition.
Northeast political leaders have consistently spotlighted regional athletes on national teams, using such moments to underscore the region's growing contribution to Indian sport. Sarma, who also serves as convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), has been among the most vocal in drawing attention to athletes from the eight northeastern states.
Stakeholders and Impact
For athletes from the Northeast, public endorsement from a senior political figure carries both symbolic and practical weight — it keeps state-level support programmes in focus and can influence funding decisions ahead of major tournaments. Both Borgohain and Chanu have previously benefited from central and state sports schemes that provide stipends, coaching, and international exposure. The broader Indian contingent at Glasgow 2026 will compete across multiple disciplines, with boxing and weightlifting historically among India's strongest medal-earning categories at the Commonwealth Games.
Fans and sports administrators in Assam and Manipur are likely to follow the two athletes' performances with particular interest, given their Olympic pedigree and the expectations that come with it.
What's Next
The final composition of the Indian team and any state-level support announcements are expected to be confirmed closer to the opening of the Glasgow Games. Sarma's public backing may also signal further state-sponsored felicitation or support measures for Northeast athletes competing on the global stage. A strong performance by Borgohain and Chanu would reinforce the Northeast's standing as a nursery for elite Indian sport.
Point of View
He reinforces the narrative that the Northeast is a disproportionately significant contributor to India's sporting success. The timing — as the contingent departs for Glasgow — positions him as both a regional patron and a national stakeholder in Indian sport. It also keeps state-level sports investment programmes in the public conversation ahead of what could be a high-medal Games for India in boxing and weightlifting.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Commonwealth Games 2026 being held?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, after the original host city Victoria, Australia, withdrew from its commitment.
Who is Lovlina Borgohain?
Lovlina Borgohain is a boxer from Assam who won a bronze medal in the welterweight category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making her one of India's most decorated combat sports athletes.
Who is Mirabai Chanu?
Mirabai Chanu is a weightlifter from Manipur who won a silver medal in the women's 49 kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, opening India's medal count on the Games' first day.
Why did Himanta Biswa Sarma post about CWG 2026?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted wishes for the Indian contingent at CWG 2026 on 24 July 2026, specifically highlighting Northeast athletes Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu ahead of the Glasgow Games.
What sports is India strong in at the Commonwealth Games?
India has historically been among the top medal-earning nations in boxing and weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, disciplines in which both Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu compete.
