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Iniesta confirms 2017-18 season his last at Barcelona (Second Lead)

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Barcelona, April 27 (IANS) FC Barcelona captain and veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta announced on Friday that the ongoing 2017-18 football season will be his last at the Catalan club, where he has spent his entire career.

Iniesta joined Barcelona as a 12 year-old and has won 8 La Liga titles (it will be nine by the end of the season), 4 Champions Leagues, 6 Copas del Rey, 3 European and 7 Spanish Supercups and 4 World Club Championships with the club which enjoyed a trophy-laden spell.

“This is my last season here. This was a decision which took a lot of thought. For me, Barça is the best club in the world — this club has given me everything and and I know what it means to play here year after year in every sense of the word and the responsibility of being captain,” the 33-year-old declared at an an emotional press conference at the club’s “Joan Gamper” training ground, where he was accompanied by all of his teammates, his family and the club’s Board of Directors.

“My only aim was to be a success at this club and I have done that. Being honest with myself and the club, I believe my period here ends this year, because the club deserves the best of me and I don’t think that in the near future, I could give the best of myself in all ways; physical and mental. It is best for me to leave this club feeling important, still winning titles,” he added.

Iniesta has played 125 times for Spain, winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

The midfielder is rumoured to move to the Chinese Super League. “I have said I will never play against Barça, so I won’t play in Europe,” Iniesta, who along with retired captain Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busqets, formed one of the best midfield in European football, said.

“I will always carry Barcelona in my heart. I want to thank the club and the ‘Masia’ (the Barca youth system) because if I am here today it is thanks to them,” said Iniesta, who also thanked his teammates, saying it was “incredible” to be alongside with them every day. He also thanked the fans, who had seen him “grow since I was 12 years old and have supported me in good and bad times.”

Iniesta admitted to a difficult beginning in Barcelona, as he missed his home close to Albacete in central Spain, and later confessed to “crying rivers” because he missed his parents.

However, he progressed through the Barca youth team before making his first team debut as an 18-year-old in 2002. Since then he has made 550 appearances for Barcelona, reports Xinhua news agency.

–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

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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.

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