Dr. Vece Paes, a bronze medalist with the Indian hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics and father of legendary tennis player Leander Paes, has passed away at the age of 80.
He died on Thursday, August 14, at a city hospital in Kolkata, where he had been admitted on Tuesday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
A Life Dedicated to Sports
Dr. Vece Paes was a multifaceted personality whose contributions to Indian sports extended far beyond his Olympic achievement. He was a versatile athlete who also competed in cricket, football, and rugby at a competitive level. His passion for rugby led him to serve as President of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002, where he played a pivotal role in the sport’s development in the country.
A trained medical doctor, Dr. Paes uniquely combined his medical expertise with his love for athletics. He became a prominent figure in sports medicine and a leading voice in anti-doping education. He worked with major sports bodies, including the Asian Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), to promote fair play and athlete well-being.
His legacy lives on through his son, Leander Paes, a celebrated tennis player who has often credited his father’s guidance and sporting spirit for his success.
