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‘Tottenham’s Son Heung-min willing to compete for S. Korea at Asiad’
Incheon (South Korea), April 24 (IANS) South Korean men’s under-23 football team coach Kim Hak-bum said on Tuesday that Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min is willing to compete at the Asian Games this summer.
Kim returned home after checking on South Korean footballers in Europe. The 58-year-old coach, who took the helm of the U-23 team in February, said he met with Son in London and talked to him about an Asian Games selection, reports Yonhap news agency.
This year’s Asian Games will be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia, roughly two months after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
“Son has a strong will to compete at the Asian Games,” Kim told reporters at Incheon International Airport. “But first, there’s the World Cup. I told Son to play well in Russia before we meet at the Asian Games.”
The football competition at the Asian Games is restricted to players under 23, but teams can field up to three players known as wild cards who are over the age limit.
In South Korea, male athletes who earn an Olympic medal or win gold at the Asian Games are exempted from the country’s mandatory two-year military service.
Son, 25, has yet to complete his military service, and winning gold at the upcoming Asian Games would mean that his professional career could continue without interruption.
Son is currently one of the high-flying attackers in the English Premier League (EPL), having netted 12 goals in 33 matches this season.
Kim admitted that getting permission from Tottenham is crucial. Unlike FIFA tournaments, the clubs are not obligated to release their players for the Asian Games.
“It’s a sensitive issue,” Kim said. “I believe the Korea Football Association will handle this matter well. The men’s senior national team, the U-23 team, the KFA and the player’s club should all work closely.”
Kim, who previously coached Seongnam, Gangwon and Gwangju in the K League 1, said he also watched South Korean U-23 players in Europe.
The players he met during his trip include Hwang Hee-chan of Red Bull Salzburg, Lee Jin-hyun of Austria Wien, Lee Seung-woo of Hellas Verona, Paik Seung-ho of Peralada-Girona B, Seo Young-jae of Hamburg and Kim Jung-min of FC Liefering.
“All the players were working hard, and they all wanted to play for the U-23 national team,” he said. “I can’t give you all the details of each player, but all of them had a strong will to join this team.”
Kim said he will call up these U-23 players during the World Cup to check their form.
–IANS
pur/sac
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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.