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Need to give chance to youngsters: Anup (IANS Interview)
By Kaushik Kumar
New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Having announced his international retirement mid-way during the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) recently, kabaddi legend and former World Cup winning India captain Anup Kumar said it was time to give chance to the youngsters, who are performing exceptionally at the global level.
The seasoned player also said he hasn’t decided to take up coaching in his second innings, however, he will always be attached with the game.
Talking to IANS, Anup said: “I feel earlier it was my time as today it is of rising players like Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Sehrawat. At our time we felt that no one is like us.
“I decided to retire as the boys today are more talented and better than us. The public sentiment was also of the view that Anup has gone past his age. Our fans expect that we perform well in every match and if the youngsters are doing that and I am not, I should better retire and given them chance,” the 35-year-old added.
Anup, who won gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games, however, said he hasn’t taken a call on coaching post-retirement.
“Kabaddi is my soul as today I am whatever is because of this game. I haven’t decided on coaching but I know I will always be attached to it and will always try to do something for kabaddi,” Anup said
“Whatever I have learnt and the experience I gained, I will always share with the upcoming generation and our players.”
The 2016 World Cup winning skipper also stressed on the need for more bilateral and trilateral series as such events will further help in the expansion of the game globally.
“Championships like Kabaddi Masters should be held on a regular basis. The championship last year received a terrific response. If we (India), Iran, Pakistan, Korea keep playing such series, it will be beneficial both for the game and the players as our players will learn something from them and they will learn from us,” Anup said.
“Moreover, after PKL, such series will keep us in touch with the public,” he added.
Also, prasing Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH), a talent hunt programme developed by Mashal Sports, the organisers of PKL in association with AKFI (Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India), Anup said: “This (FKH) is a unique initiative for helping the young players to make their dream of playing the sport at a professional level true. It gives the aspiring boys an opportunity to demonstrate their mettle at the biggest kabaddi stage.
“You see Nitesh Kumar, who was the best defender in last PKL saeason, Naveen, who became the youngest player in season VI and was among the top 10 raiders of the season and Surender Singh, who too was among the top 10 defenders of the season, they all came through this initiative,” added the Arjuna awardee.
Prasing PKL franchise Bengaluru Bulls skipper Rohit Kumar, the veteran said he hopes to see the ace raider leading the Indian team one day.
Significantly, leading his team from the front, Rohit had guided Bengaluru to the PKL 6 title last month.
“I see myself in Rohit. He is very calm, doesn’t have an attitude problem and performs more than one’s expectation. He knows how to make his team play and how to play himself in different situations,” opined Anup.
“He has been outstanding in PKL. I definately want him to lead India one day and I will be personally happy if it happens,” the legend signed-off.
(Kaushik Kumar 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.