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Football coach Constantine slams IOA’s decision to bar Asiad participation
New Delhi, July 29 (IANS) India’s football team coach Stephen Constantine on Sunday said the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has made an appalling decision of not sending the men’s and women’s teams to the Asian Games to be held in Indonesia in August.
The IOA had decided not to send the teams to the Asiad as they could not meet the qualifying criteria set by the national Olympic body, though they qualified as per the norms of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Constantine said that the Asiad comes after every four years and based on the previous performances one cannot make such decisions.
“Cannot tell you how disappointed I am. I think it is an appalling decision. Based on the results of the previous Asian Games you cannot make such decision,” Constantine told reporters ahead of the national camp for the SAFF Games in September.
“The Asian games comes after four years and it is not the same team in every four years. We are not the same team we were four or eight years ago.
“So for me it is a huge disappointment and I think we have a good opportunity to qualify from the groups, so I think it is very very poor decision,” he added.
Constantine has summoned four U-19 players — Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Rahim Ali and Rahul KP — who represented India in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup last year — for India’s preparatory camp, starting here on Monday, for the SAFF Championship.
Asked about goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, who was highly impressive in the World Cup last year, has given many promises but were not fulfilled, the English coach said: “That really has nothing to do with me.”
He went on to say: “There was a lot of hype on the U-17 team. They did not win any games in the World Cup. I dont know what the hype is about, we did okay.
“Why we are making such a big deal? They did not qualify for the World Cup, they hosted it. I think too much was made. They (as part of AIFF developmental team Indian Arrows) also played in I-League and came last.”
–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.