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Need to have multiple success stories to create tennis culture: Bhupathi

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New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Lamenting the dearth of quality tennis talents in the country, legendary doubles player and the current non-playing captain of the Indian Davis Cup team, Mahesh Bhupathi on Saturday urged to take a leaf out of Indian badminton’s story where there are multiple success stories for youngsters to emulate.

Bhupathi, who became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title in the mixed doubles event at the 1997 French Open, was candid enough to admit that tennis has never been a priority in the country, and the reason is lack of quality players playing every Grand Slam.

“I am not the right person to answer because I have a very biased view. Sania Mirza created a revolution 10 years ago when it came to tennis. She broke all boundaries, she was playing in the third round of the Australian Open, third round of Wimbledon, everybody in India was watching her,” Bhupathi told reporters here on the sidelines of the final selection process of Kia Australian Ballkids International Program.

“But what happened after that? We don’t have another 5 Sania’s. So I don’t think tennis is a priority in our country.”

“Today badminton is way above tennis because of (PV) Sindhu, Saina (Nehwal), (Parupalli) Kashyap and Gopi (Pullela Gopichand). You need to have multiple success stories non-stop that pushes people to want to aspire and unfortunately in India it doesn’t exist,” he added.

Asked if the creation of junior tournaments in the line of Kabaddi’s KBD Juniors, could help inject that tennis culture in the country, Bhupathi said: “In Pro Kabaddi or any other sport, you have those 100 players from whom you can pick.”

“Today if you have an Indian league for tennis you don’t have 40 players to pick from. Can you name the top-10 players in India, that’s the concern. Can you name the top five female tennis players in India? Case closed,” he added.

On being asked what has pulled back tennis from becoming India’s most followed sport, despite stars like him, Leander Paes, Sania and Rohan Bopanna winning in big ticket events, Bhupathi, who won four men’s doubles Grand Slams, put the blame on the whole system.

“The whole system is lacking right now. If we have a player consistently playing the Grand Slams and the country following them then its a start. Unfortunately we did not have this media 10 years ago, if we had this media a decade back when Sania was successful, I think things could have been different.”

“Today we can watch our Indian boys playing the Australian Open and the other Grand Slams. All these we didn’t have but I think it will only get better but we need to have some one who is representing us in every Grand Slam,” he maintained.

–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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