GUWAHATI: Indian sprinter Amlan Borgohain has criticised the Assam Athletics Association for failing to support athletes from the state, even after record-breaking national performances. His remarks come a day after he and his teammates shattered a long-standing Indian record in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2nd National Open Relay Carnival in Chandigarh.
ALSO READ: Assam's Trading Scam Accused Tarkik Borah And Bishal Phukan Get Bail
On Wednesday, April 30, Borgohain, along with Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur and Manikanta Hoblidhar, clocked 38.69 seconds while representing the Reliance team. The timing broke India’s previous national record of 38.89 seconds, set during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Their performance also marked the fastest relay timing in Asia this year, bettering their own 38.93-second effort in the event’s heats.
Despite the feat, Borgohain took to social media platform ‘X’ to highlight the absence of state-level backing. “Assam has only one athlete currently representing India — and even after setting a national record, there’s no support from the Assam Athletics Association,” he posted. He further alleged that there had been no assistance with registration fees or any official encouragement.
Borgohain, a former national record holder in the 200m event, has long been one of Assam’s most prominent athletes on both national and international platforms. While the central focus remains on his outstanding athletic achievement, the controversy has raised broader concerns within Assam’s sports community about the lack of infrastructure, financial assistance, and administrative attention for elite athletes.
Meanwhile, the Assam Athletics Association has yet to respond to Borgohain’s remarks.
