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Tougher tests await Satwik-Chirag, feels doubles badminton coach Tan (IANS Interview)
By Abhishek Purohit
New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) India’s doubles badminton coach Tan Kim Her reckons that bigger tests await the fast rising men’s pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty as the opponents will now start analysing their game after their recent success.
The young doubles team etched their name in the history books by becoming the first ever men’s doubles team from India to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games (CWG). They lost 13-21, 16-21 to England’s Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge in the final of the 21st CWG held in Gold Coast, Australia last month.
The pair of Satwik, 17, and Chirag, 19, is also currently India’s highest ranked at the 18th spot in the world rankings.
However, Tan feels that their opponents will try their best to pick out the flaws in the game of Satwik and Chirag.
“They, at the beginning of their careers, are doing well so far, including at the CWG. They have been playing fearlessly but they need to be more consistent. But they will face issues in future since the opponents will now start analysing their strengths and weaknesses,” Tan told IANS.
“So they need to be prepared intensely for the future competitions. Their performance may dip a bit against experienced opponents.”
The Malaysian has already identified the aspects of the game in which Satwik and Chirag need to improve in order to be a formidable pair.
“They need to be mentally stronger, more so because there will be expectations from them from here on,” he felt.
“Secondly, they need to work more on their service return and their defence. They are strong while attacking but they need to train more in sharpening their defence.”
Tan, who joined the Indian team in 2016, lauded the efforts of Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Sikki Reddy, who pocketed a bronze medal at the CWG. They also played a big role in India’s mixed team gold medal triumph. They had won the first game during the final against Malaysia to tilt the issue in India’s favour.
“Their game is on the rise in recent tournaments. They have experience. Both in the mixed team event and their women’s doubles event, they were impressive even if they had to play so many matches,” Tan said.
Ashwini and Satwik made it to the semi-finals of the mixed doubles competition at the CWG. However, they lost the bronze medal play-off.
“In some days, Ashwini had to play four games in a day. Both Satwik and Ashwini were challenging for both the doubles competitions — which is not at all easy. You become mentally and physically drained,” Tan pointed out.
(Abhishek Purohit 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.