FPAI Workshop on Anti Doping & Tax Consulting

The Football Players Association of India earlier today organised a workshop on Anti Doping and Tax Consulting at the Parsee Club on the Kolkata Maidan. I had the honour of hosting the proceedings of the day which was opened by the FPAI president Baichung Bhutia on paying importance to such issues as Doping and Tax payment.

The first presentation was from Dr. Nisith Ranjan Chowdhury on Doping Laws, player responsibilities and banned substances. It is a very difficult subject which players are not really aware of and the case of Nishant Mehra from Mumbai FC shows how easily a player can test positive without the proper background knowledge.

It was followed by a session with G. Agarwal from Ernst&Young about the issue of taxation and what players need to keep in mind not to get in conflict with the Income Tax department.

Thereafter special guest in former French international and Player of Indian Origin Vikash Dhorasoo, who happened to be in Kolkata today. Vikash spoke to the players about the issue of Doping but everyone was more interested to hear about his career, the way he trained at different club and special experiences over the years.

The workshop ended like it started with the media wanting photos & bytes of both the local star Baichung Bhutia and the foreign visitor in Vikash Dhorasoo. Its something one should have experienced as Vikash joked afterwards...