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After overwhelming La Liga debut, Girona back to basics (IANS Interview)
By Abhishek Purohit
New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) Girona FC may have had a fairy tale 10th place finish on their La Liga debut in 2017-18, but ahead of the upcoming season, the Catalan football club aims to start the campaign with a humble objective of maintaining their position in the Spanish top division.
Girona FC have had two seasons to remember, promotion from the second division in 2016-17, the first in their nearly 88-year-old history, followed by a 10th place finish in the La Liga.
According to experienced central defender Bernado Espinosa, Girona are keeping their feet on the ground as he reasoned that they compete in the “best league in the world”.
However, on the back of their minds, they are aware that they missed out on Europa League qualification last season but pressure of expectations will be higher this season.
“It is going to be a very different league. In our debut year, we had a lot of advantages in terms of the opponents not knowing the team, not knowing how Girona will play and compete,” Espinosa, who is in Kochi where Girona are taking part in a pre-season event also involving Kerala Blasters and Melbourne City FC, told IANS.
“Expectations have grown so much because of the successful season we had last year and that is gonna make it harder this time. Girona is a small, young and growing club in the league. We are clear in our objective like the last year — which is staying in La Liga — the best championship in the world. That is not going to change,” the 29-year-old Colombian added.
“We know that we had chance to make it to the European competition (Europa League) last season but we are not going to forget that we are one of the smallest clubs in Spain. We will keep with the same mentality which we had last year. The competition is tough and it is going to be hard.”
Girona’s matches at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will also be part of the team’s build-up for the 2018-19 La Liga season.
“It (the tournament in Kochi) is a great opportunity to work towards our preparations. Normally we don’t have these such long trips in pre-season tour but for us, it is an opportunity to get out of comfort zone, know about new culture, new football and new places where lot of people are showing passion for the sport,” the Sevilla FC youth system product said.
“Our main objective is to play two very good matches against two good teams. Moreover, we don’t get to hear much about football in these parts of the world. But the people have lot of passion for the sport. We arer here to enjoy but our aim is to prepare the best way as we can to get ready for the start of the league.”
(Abhishek Purohit 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.