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I-League: East Bengal aim to stay afloat in title race (Preview)
Panchkula, March 2 (IANS) East Bengal would look to get past defending champions Minerva Punjab FC and inch closer to the title when the two sides meet in an I-League encounter at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium, here on Sunday.
A win could propel East Bengal to a title win after Churchill Brothers defeated table toppers Chennai City FC 3-2 on Friday.
For Minerva, what would be critical is to continue with their winning momentum. They would start the match with the psychological advantage after their win against Neroca FC came nearly after three months against Quess East Bengal at the latter’s home ground in Kolkata.
Minerva are currently-placed ninth in the I-League points table with 17 points from as many games.
East Bengal, who have been on the top of their form in 2019 with just one loss against Chennai, would look forward to continue their winning run and try to close the gap for the title run.
A win for the Red & Golds means they will be just one point shy of the table toppers Chennai City FC, taking the championship fight to the final day.
Alejandro Menendez said,” We are more eager to win now. We have the realistic chance to win the championship. This match is very important for us. Our team is playing good this season, is improving everyday. We want to continue with the team and try to win the important match.”
Quess East Bengal are placed second on the Hero I-League points table with 36 points from 18 games. The 2-1 win against Hero I-League debutant Real Kashmir FC helped them keep their hopes for a title winning campaign.
For the defending champions, except the last win against Neroca FC, there’s not much that they can rejoice about. Minerva Punjab FC have scored only 9 goals this season and conceded 15.
Minerva Punjab coach Sachin Badadhe said, “We are pretty confident about tomorrow’s game. We are ready to go for all three points. In the last match, Chennai lost the game and it can be the same condition with East Bengal tomorrow. The training is good and we are hoping for a positive result.”
“All the new players are coming to the team and they are professionals. They gel with the system well. We are trying to put everything in place against East Bengal tomorrow,” Badadhe said.
Having defeated them in their last encounter in Kolkata this season, the defending champions wouldn’t want to let that statistical and mental edge go away, everything, in front of the home crowd.
While Minerva’s defensive line hasn’t been impressive, and with the likes of Esqueda, Santos and Ralte in the attacking lineup for the visitors, it would be interesting to see if the defending champions continue with their winning momentum on Sunday.
–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.