Kopil Dev in Kolkata
Reported by Sanchita chatterjee
Dr. Vece Paes Cup 2026: A Celebration of Sport, Legacy and Love at CC&FC Ground
Kolkata, 22 March 2026
The hallowed grounds of the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC) — established in 1792 and the oldest cricket club outside Great Britain — came alive on Sunday as legends of Indian sport, screen and culture gathered for the Dr. Vece Paes Cup 2026.
Hosted annually by tennis icon Leander Paes in honour of his late father, Dr. Vece Paes — Olympic bronze medallist (Munich, 1972) and one of India's most revered hockey legends — the event is a cherished tribute, organised in proud partnership with CC&FC.
The Dr. Vece Paes Invitational XI, a star-studded lineup, faced the CC&FC side in a spirited contest that ended in victory for the Invitational XI — a result met with warm applause from all present.
The occasion drew an extraordinary ensemble of Indian sporting and entertainment royalty. Leander Paes - Grand Slam champion and Davis Cup legend - alongside World Cup-winning captain and cricket icon Kapil Dev, who was the Guest of Honour; explosive World Cup winner and all-rounder Yusuf Pathan; celebrated Indian international goalkeeper Subrata Paul; and Bengali superstar actor Dev. Also gracing the occasion were Kirti Azad - former India cricketer and parliamentarian, Arun Lal - Bengal cricket stalwart and beloved commentator, Manoj Tiwary, former International cricketer, and Gurbux Singh - distinguished sporting personality.
At a press conference preceding the match, Leander Paes set a deeply emotional tone, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had gathered to keep his father's memory alive. Reflecting on Dr. Vece Paes's boundless love for all sport, he said with quiet emotion: "This means the world to my mother, to my daughter, to my sister and to myself."
Kapil Dev spoke warmly of Kolkata's unmatched passion for sport, calling the city a unique cradle of cricketing culture. Dev, the actor, was visibly moved by the moment, saying: "This is a fan moment for me. Sitting with Kapil Sir at the same press conference — I am a huge fan of yours." Yusuf Pathan echoed the spirit of the day, expressing his honour and deep gratitude at being part of an event so rooted in love and remembrance.
CC&FC welcomed the occasion with characteristic grace. "It is our privilege to host this event year after year," said the Club President Saurav Chatterjee. "Dr. Vece Paes embodied everything sport stands for — dignity, passion and excellence. CC&FC is honoured to be the home of this legacy."
The Dr. Vece Paes Cup is more than a cricket match. It is an annual act of remembrance — a son's tribute to a father, a city's salute to a champion, and a reminder that the greatest victories in sport are measured not in trophies, but in the lives one inspires.
The cricket match was won by the Invitational XI with an unbeaten century scored by Yusuf Pathan who was also named the ‘Man of the Match’.
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