Neelakshi Saikia has scripted history for Assam’s Nagaon district by becoming the first woman from the district to qualify as a national boxing referee, marking a significant milestone for women’s participation in sports officiating.
Saikia earned the distinction after successfully clearing the National Referee Examination conducted alongside the recently held Kaziranga Rhino Cup Professional Boxing League at Golaghat Stadium.
The professional boxing event, organised by the Assam Boxing Association under the supervision of the Boxing Federation of India, was the first professional boxing league to be hosted in Assam. The tournament brought together participants from several states and Union Territories, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Goa and Ladakh.
The National Referee Examination, held in conjunction with the tournament, offered aspiring officials an opportunity to obtain national accreditation. By successfully passing the examination, Saikia not only secured national referee status but also became the first woman from Nagaon district to achieve the feat.
Her achievement has been widely appreciated by the sporting fraternity in Nagaon, with many describing it as a landmark moment for women’s involvement in boxing administration and sports officiating in the district.
Sports enthusiasts believe the accomplishment will encourage more young women from the region to explore careers beyond competition and pursue opportunities in refereeing, coaching and sports management.
