Guwahati, Nov 15: In an encouraging development for aspiring sailors from Assam, Nikhamoni Bora, a 23-year-old watersports enthusiast, has become the state’s first certified female sailor.
Hailing from Golaghat in Upper Assam, Nikhamoni’s entry into watersports marks a significant stride in a field still emerging in India.
“Sprinter Hima Das and Olympic bronze medalist boxer Lovlina Borgohain (who is also from Golaghat) have been my role models. I am glad to have started my journey in water sports, which is still in a nascent stage in India,” she says.
Nikhamoni’s achievements are already drawing attention. She has claimed three windsurfing titles, earning two gold and one bronze medal between December 2023 and April 2024.
Recognising her efforts, the state directorate of sports and youth welfare, awarded her Rs 3 lakh and a spot in the India Book of Records for “the most windsurfing tournaments won by a female.”
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also praised her on social media, saying, “Happy to see our girls break so many glass ceilings. Assam is proud of her.”
But Nikhamoni’s journey hasn’t been a cakewalk, having endured societal pressure to choose a “safer” career. But her family’s support and her days in the National Cadet Corps gave her the confidence to pursue sports.
Starting with rifle shooting and weightlifting, she found her true calling in water sports after her NCC commanding officer introduced her to sailing. She went on to gain Level 1 and 2 sailing certification from the Yachting Association of India and has since trained in windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Corporate support has been key to Nikhamoni’s development. Cairn, India’s leading private oil and gas exploration and production company, provided crucial backing for her kiteboarding training, covering fees that had previously been an obstacle.
Looking back, Nikhamoni shared, “After multiple rejections I learnt about Cairn and their support to sports people over time. I sent a letter to them and left for my training. Their team believed in me from the outset and within three days of my training, I was informed that my training fee had been paid by the company. This boosted my morale to pursue my dream.”
Nikhamoni further highlighted that Cairn’s support helped her access top-notch training and expertise in Aqua Outback, during June 2024, where their guidance helped hone her skills, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
“As the first homegrown youth sailor from the state, I achieved my goal of becoming a national gold medalist in kiteboarding,” she says.
Nikhamoni says she is committed to paving the way for future aspiring sailors, especially young girls, from her village and elsewhere in Assam.
She aims to guide her next batch of young girls in a Morigaon camp, where she is initiating kayaking and canoeing.
She has also shown interest in the steps taken by the Assam government to advance sports as something beyond a hobby. “I have miles to go,” she says, with a glint in her eyes, and a steely determination.