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New ATK head coach wants trophy for ISL league winners

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Kolkata, Sep 20 (IANS) New ATK head coach Steve Coppell on Thursday suggested that the ISL be expanded with the participation of 18-20 teams and a trophy given to the side finishing atop the table after the league stage.

“The league should expand. There should be a trophy for the league winners,” Coppell told mediapersons after the team’s jersey launch ahead of the 2018-19 season.

But the Englishman also admitted his love for the playoffs.

“I also like the excitement of the playoffs and it is a totally different thing, it’s terrific and a nice icing on the cake at the end of the season,” he said.

The coach asked the ISL bosses to copy leagues from around the world and rope in 18-20 teams.

“The ISL should look to copy leagues from around the world and have 18-20 teams in it. This will also help the national team to climb up the ladder at the international stage,” he said.

Having earlier coached ISL sides Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC, Coppell has started a new innings with two-time champions ATK this year.

“I am privileged to coach and manage a team like ATK,” he said.

Recalling that as Kerala Blasters coach, he had lost to ATK in the 2016 final, Coppell said: “They (ATK) were gracious in victory.”

Detailing how he landed his new job with Sanjiv Goenka co-owned franchisee, Coppell said he was undecided after last year’s stint with Jamshedpur FC, when he received a call for working with ATK.

“After conversations with Raghu (Iyer, CEO) and Mr. Goenka, I saw they were enthused to be champions again,” he said.

Describing Kolkata as the “hotbed of football”, Coppell said ATK would have to embrace the “footballing nature and culture of the supporters in this city” as part of its journey to be ISL champions again.

“Maybe, it will be tough on occasions, but we will have to overcome it. Hopefully, we can deliver the right results.”

ATK underwent a three-week pre-season training in Spain.

The side lost to Fulham 0-1, but had the privilege of becoming the only second ISL side to take on a current Premier League team.

Delhi Dynamos had earlier crossed swords with West Bromwich Albion.

“It came to us suddenly. It was the international week so some of the names were missing but they played most of the players who featured against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium the following week.

“They spent 100 million pounds in this window so even their squad players are still good enough at the world stage.

“Against Fulham, it was a case of competing hard rather than just trying to win the game. Slavisa Jokanovic organised his team well against us. They had 17 staff members and 16 players…shows how big a side Fulham is, it was fascinating,” he said.

ATK host Kerala Blasters in the ISL season five here on September 29.

–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

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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.

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