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Kenya’s Tirop targets Africa C’ships gold despite road race supremacy
Nairobi, May 28 (IANS) World 10,000 metre bronze medallist Agnes Tirop said despite her dominance in road races, she remains a track athlete and is focused on winning gold at the Africa Championships, which will be held in Nigeria in August.
Tirop, who won gold at the Nanjing World Cross Country in China in 2015, has had problems with injuries, which curtailed her rise in the sport, reports Xinhua news agency.
However, she has emerged stronger in late 2017 and this season and hopes to continue growing stronger on her redemption path.
“I had a good race on the track in Doha (over 3,000m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting there earlier this month) and I still think of myself as a track runner even though I won the world cross country title in 2015 and in Bengaluru,” Tirop said on Sunday.
The Kenyan will resume the premier Diamond League series in Rome on May 30 and hopes she will be strong enough to contest for medals in the 5,000m race.
“I know my finishing speed is fine, so I hope to still be at the front when Kenya trials for the Africa Championships are held in June. I know I can rely on my speed to have an edge over my rivals,” she added.
The 23-year-old won the world 10km race in Bengaluru on Sunday together with compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor, who is also the World Half Marathon champion.
Kamworor has not lost a race since 2017. He has featured in four top competitions and has always emerged stronger.
His unbeaten streak, which started with his win at the New York Marathon in November, has continued through his four outings in 2018.
“I went to India thinking about the course record and tried the best I could, but I could feel the temperature rising as I was warming up. I was jogging for just three minutes before starting to sweat,” said Kamworor.
The New York marathon champion has not ruled out competing for Kenya at the Africa Championships.
However, that decision will have to be taken in discussion with his management and coaches. But he is certain that he will be ready to defend his New York marathon crown.
“I have not made up my mind about running in the Africa Championships. That will be decided later. What I know is I want to defend my crown in New York. I skipped a lot of track competition last year and early this year to focus on the World Half marathon and now I have to decide which events to focus on,” he added.
–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.