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Saina, Prannoy in semis; Sindhu, Srikanth exit Asia Championships (Lead)
Wuhan, April 27 (IANS) Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina Nehwal and H.S Prannoy entered the semi-finals while Kidambi Srikanth and Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V Sindhu crashed out of the Badminton Asia Championships here on Friday.
Saina outplayed Lee Jang Mi of South Korea 21-15, 21-13 in the women’s singles match which lasted around 40 minutes while Prannoy edged past second seed Son Wan Ho South Korea 18-21, 23-21, 21-12 in the men’s singles marathon match of one hour 12 minutes.
The disappointments of the day were Sindhu and Srikanth. Third seed Sindhu lost to seventh seed Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea in straight sets 21-19, 21-10.
Top seed Srikanth was outplayed by fifth seed and veteran player Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia 21-12, 21-15 in just 31 minutes.
“I was upset about my performance today, Lee played very well. I did badly in net lifts and drives, and moved slowly on the court,” Srikanth was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency after his defeat.
The 35-year-old Malaysian said: “Srikanth didn’t play at his level today, too many errors in the game. It was different from our last meet at the Commonwealth Games.” Chong Wei had lost to Srikanth in the mixed team final of the Gold Coast CWG earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Chinese shuttler Chen Long celebrated a hard-fought victory, bouncing back from one game down to eliminate eighth-seeded Ng Ka Long Angus 22-24, 21-15, 21-17 to reach semi-finals, reported Xinhua news agency.
The two players traded the lead six times in the thrilling decider. The home favourite Chen lost five points when leading by 13-9, and then won five points in a row to reclaim the lead.
Although he missed the first two match points at 20-15, he eventually wrapped up the match in one hour 26 minutes.
“I didn’t play well when taking the lead on the court, made too many mistakes. But anyway, winning a close game like this can always make me happy,” the 29-year-old said.
Chen will face Prannoy in the semi-finals.
In the semi-final, Saina will meet top seed Tai Tzu Ying, who cruised past home star He Bingjiao 21-14, 21-9.
Another home player Chen Yufei, sixth seed, overcame her Hong Kong compatriot Cheung Ngan Yi 21-18, 21-12.
–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.