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Real Madrid coach downplays departure rumours amid 5-game winless skid
Madrid, Oct 22 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui on Monday downplayed the team’s poor results in his debut season, including their current five-game winless skid, amid media rumours that his departure could be imminent.
Lopetegui spoke at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Czech club Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League group stage, reports Efe.
“If you want to see a buried or downcast coach, don’t look at me,” Lopetegui asserted, but became agitated when asked if he would still be around for Sunday’s El Clasico clash against archrival Barcelona.
“I can’t confirm any more than that I’m here and suited up for Real Madrid, I can’t confirm more than the current situation, and if I’m here it’s because I’ll be the coach tomorrow, there’s no doubt, but if you want to ask me what’s going to happen inside a month or one year, we are focused on the present, it is our job and responsibility,” he explained.
In June, the Spanish coach was fired from his national team just days before the 2018 FIFA World Cup when news of his hiring at Real Madrid became public, but media speculation has said his exit may be imminent after winning only five of 12 games with Los Blancos.
“At Real Madrid I have always learned to fight, which is the DNA of this club, and I have it engraved in me. We’re aware that we’ve got time to turn the situation around,” Lopetegui said, adding “The changing room is strong because the players are champions.”
“Viktoria (Plzen) are a physical team, with quality players and tactically very organized,” he said, adding “The game requires all our energy.”
After two matches, Real Madrid is currently third in Champions League Group G with three points, right behind Roma.
The two teams are tied when it comes to points, but the Italian team’s higher number of goals scored gives it an edge in the standings.
CSKA Moscow leads the group with four points, while Viktoria Plzen is at the bottom with one point.
In La Liga, Real Madrid is seventh in the table with 14 points, four points behind league leader Barcelona.
–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.