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CWG performance just the start: BFI President
By Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) Congratulating the Indian contingent, which returned with an impressive haul of nine medals from the just-concluded Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh on Tuesday warned the boxers not to get carried away with the recent accolades.
Inspired by five-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom’s maiden CWG gold in women’s 48 kilogram category, India’s Vikas Krishan (75 kg) Gaurav Solanki (52 kg) also clinched the yellow medal.
Satish Kumar (91kg), Amit Panghal (49kg) and Manish Kaushik (60kg) settled for silvers while Mohammed Husammuddin (56kg), Naman Tanwar (91kg) and Manoj Kumar (69kg) bagged bronze medals after losing their semi-final bouts.
Their feat at the CWG have indeed created a flutter among fans but Singh wants the boxers to keep their focus, keeping in mind the busy season ahead.
“This is surely a historic performance. We are extremely proud of our boxers, and congratulate the great support from the coaches and the support staff. But I would like to say, this is just the start,” Singh told IANS on the sidelines of a felicitation programme for the boxing contingent.
“Having done so well in Gold Coast, we should not take ourselves for granted. There is so much more to achieve as the ultimate objective to get Olympic medals in 2020 and 2024.
“We are trying to built a team for the future and make sure that India is a powerhouse, a leading nation in the world in boxing,” he added.
Singh further said that the CWG performance is a testimony to BFI’s hard work but cautioned the boxers that the upcoming Asian Games won’t be an easy nut to crack.
“What the CWG performance shows us is that we are in the right path. We have a much tougher competition coming up in the form of the Asian Games in August.
“We will prepare for the Asiad, starting next week with both the men and women’s teams travelling to Serbia. We also have the World Series Boxing next week where we are hosting Russia. We are also sending our teams to the Michael Johnson Academy in Texas, before the Asian Games,” he added.
Hailing the BFI’s initiatives and support for the magnificent show of Indian pugilists in Gold Coast, Mary Kom said: “It is a proud moment for me to win my first CWG medal, but this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the BFI and the sports ministry.”
“BFI is doing an incredible job in bringing top boxing events to India and the amount of exposure the young boxers are getting from these events will surely help them and India to become a boxing super power in the near future,” she added.
(Tridib Baparnash can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.