Top News
Juventus extend contracts with defenders Cheillini, Barzagli
Turin, June 30 (IANS) Reigning Italian football champions Juventus have extended the contracts of veteran defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli until 2020 and 2019 respectively.
“Chiellini, who was recently named Juventus captain, has committed to the club for a further two years until 2020, while his longstanding rearguard partner, Barzagli, has renewed until 2019,” the Turin powerhouse said in a statement on Friday.
“Juventus could not be happier to maintain the services of two men, who for so long have embodied the club’s #FinoAllaFine mindset.”
The presence of these two, who are among the five Juventus players to have won the last seven consecutive Serie A titles, will ensure that the club will not feel the leadership vaccum since Saturday marks the end of contracts of outgoing captain Gianluigi Buffon and Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The other member of Juventus’ famous five, vice-captain and Claudio Marchisio is also expected to stay at the club where he has spent his entire football life.
Chiellini, 33, and Barzagli, 37, have forged an extraordinary partnership across the Bianconeri backline over the years, making it one of the most formidable defences in European football. The pair has helped Juventus reach two Champions League finals in the last four seasons. They have also won four consecutive Coppa Italia titles and three Italian Super Cups.
With both Chiellini and Barzagli together on the pitch, Juventus have conceded just 0.7 goals and gained an impressive 2.3 points per game. On both counts, the Bianconeri have performed better compared to when at least one of them has been absent (0.8 goals conceded and 2.2 points per game), according to the club’s website.
Ever since making his Juventus debut on October 14, 2005, Chiellini has become an absolute pillar of the Bianconeri backline.
With 472 appearances to his name, Chiellini is currently Juventus’ seventh-longest serving player of all time and he is certainly set to climb that leaderboard over the course of the next two years.
In his seven-and-a-half years as a Juventus player, Barzagli has amassed 271 appearances.
“A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, Barzagli’s experience has made him an invaluable member on the pitch and in the locker room for Juventus and his continued presence and influence next season will only boost the Bianconeri cause to keep the winning cycle in motion,” Juventus said.
–IANS
pur/vm
Top News
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.