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I have to prove myself, I am ready: Sony Norde
Kolkata, Nov 2 (IANS) Although he is not expected to start against Aizawl FC on Saturday, fit-again Sony Norde said he is ready to shine again for Mohun Bagan in the I-League but has to prove himself in a squad brimming with talent.
Norde, who was a vital cog in the team’s I-League triumph in 2015, completed the signing formalities this morning and will be back in the reckoning after an injury-laden last season.
Norde returns to Bagan after 10 months following his exit midway through the I-League 2017/18 season due to a knee injury. He had played just four matches in the I-League last season.
The Haitian had suffered the injury during Bagan’s third match in the I-League against Churchill Brothers which the club had won 5-0 at the Barasat stadium.
The injury was aggravated when he came out to play against Neroca F.C within nine days after the Churchill match. Norde finally returned to his country in January this year to undergo a surgery.
Mohun Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty hinted at the pre-match press conference that Norde is still not match fit, but the star Haitian attacker said he is raring to go and can play 120 minutes of football if given a chance.
“It takes time to regain match fitness after a nine-month break. We will take a call on whether to start with him tomorrow,” coach Chakraborty said.
Asked about his fitness Norde sounded confident.
It’s good to be back. I will be playing for the recently crowned Calcutta Football League champions and that’s a proud feeling. I am ready to start and give my best for the team,” Norde told reporters.
Norde played for about an hour in a practice match against Kalighat on Thursday.
Along with Dipanda Dicka and Henry Kisekka, Norde is expected to form a formidable attacking line-up for the green and maroon brigade.
“It’s up to the coach (when to start him). I am ready to play 90 minutes, also 120 minutes.
“Dicka and Henry are quality players and everybody knows that. I want to help them win matches for the team,” said Norde who will be wearing jersey no. 50 this time.
Last season, Norde played a handful of games before getting injured wearing jersey no 10.
“I wanted to change the number because I did not get a lot of success last season wearing 10. I won the I-League wearing 16.”
Norde is only the second foreigner after Jose Ramirez Barreto to sign for Mohun Bagan for a fifth straight year.
“I am happy to play here and it feels great to be back. I want to help the team in every game but for that I have to prove myself too. There are a lot of good players in the team and the squad is very talented. It’s not only me or Henry or Dicka,” Norde added.
Chakraborty, meanwhile, said that Aizawl have a strong attacking line and they need to be on their toes to win.
“Aizawl have a very good forward line. They are very strong and are tough opponents. Last season, we dropped points at home too so home advantage means little.”
Mohub Bagan will be without the services of injured defender Sukhdev Singh, midfielder Tirthankar Sarkar and attacker Jiten Murmu.
Aizawl coach Gift Raikhan, who did an exceptional job with debutants Neroca FC in the last season, guiding them to a second spot finish, complained of tight scheduling as they have to also play games in the Mizoram Premier League back home.
“It’s like I am driving two cars at the same time. It’s not easy but we are trying. Mohun Bagan are a tough side we all know that. We have good players too and I am confident they will put their best foot forward tomorrow.”
–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.