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Windies-bound Simmons backs Associates for next World Cup
London: Newly-appointed West Indies coach Phil Simmons encouraged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to keep faith with Associates teams for the next World Cup.
The Trinidadian is coming off an eight-year stint with Ireland, including leading them to the last two World Cups where they made a significant impact despite failing to reach the second round, as per reports.
With the ICC planning to reduce the complement of teams at the one-day showpiece event even further, Simmons believes marginalising Associate teams like Ireland would be a mistake.
“There shouldn’t be a World Cup without Associates, and no disrespect to the others, but definitely not one without Ireland. I would hope ICC reassess because some of the best games at this World Cup have been played by the Associates. Other sports have at least 20 teams so why can’t cricket have 14 teams regularly,” Simmons said.
“We were saying the same at the end of the 2011 World Cup and the pressure wasn’t half as much then as it is now. So I hope they reverse their decision and there will be 14 teams in the next World Cup.”
Ireland played outstandingly at the current World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, shocking the West Indies by four wickets in their opening game en route to winning three of their first four games.
They narrowly missed out on the second round, finishing level on points with Windies in fourth spot but with an inferior net run rate.
At the previous World Cup in India, Ireland also made headlines when they produced a superb run chase to shock England by three wickets in Bangalore.
Simmons praised the way Ireland played in the ongoing World Cup, especially the way they upset the West Indies.
“The players’ attitude was superb throughout, fronting up to those big games. We left saying we needed to win three games and that’s what we did. We just didn’t allow for Pakistan beating South Africa,” Simmons explained.
“The West Indies game was massive. We knew we had to win the first game because it was the catalyst for the rest of the tournament. But you always have a chance, and I shouldn’t be saying this, against West Indies early on and we took our chance.”
Simmons last week penned a three-year contract to coach West Indies, starting from the three-Test series against England next month.
Meanwhile, Australia will take on New Zealand in the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
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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.