Kolkata bids farewell to a sporting great whose legacy united Olympic glory, medical innovation, and athlete welfare.
Kolkata, August 14, 2025
Dr. Vece Paes, one of India’s most respected sportsmen and medical professionals, passed away on Thursday morning in Kolkata at the age of 80. He was a vital member of India’s bronze medal-winning hockey side at the 1972 Munich Olympics, he was a trailblazer in sports medicine and father of tennis icon Leander Paes
He had sustained advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease and was taken to a Kolkata hospital earlier that week. His last rites will be held early next week, after the arrival of his daughters from abroad.
From Goa to the Olympic Podium: Vece Paes
Born in April 1945 in Goa, Paes’s sporting journey began in an era when Indian hockey was transitioning from its golden dominance. Known for his agility, tactical sense, and tireless work in midfield, Paes became an integral part of the national side that secured bronze at the Munich Games.
But his athletic abilities were not confined to hockey — he also played divisional-level football, cricket, and rugby, showcasing a deep love for competitive sport.
A Visionary in Sports Medicine
After his playing days, Paes pursued medicine, specializing in sports health. His unique insight as both an athlete and doctor helped revolutionize sports medicine in India.
He provided medical expertise to some of the leading sports organizations, including:
Asian Cricket Council
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
Indian Davis Cup Tennis Team
Paes championed anti-doping education and athlete care long before these became mainstream concerns, helping shape ethical, injury-preventive, and performance-supportive practices across disciplines.
Vece Paes Administrative Role in Rugby
From 1996 to 2002, Paes served as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union, promoting the sport across the country and helping build its grassroots structure.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Saddened by the demise of Dr Vece Paes, member of the bronze medal winning team at the 1972 Olympic Games. His contribution to hockey and sports medicine will be remembered.
My condolences to his family, including Leander, his friends and the members of the many clubs of Kolkata he was associated with.”
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey also mourned his loss, calling it a “sad day for Indian hockey” and praising Paes’s lifelong dedication to the sport and its athletes.
Career Journey and Enduring Legacy
Dr. Vece Paes’s illustrious journey began in the hockey fields of India, culminating in his proudest moment — winning a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics as a midfield powerhouse. His versatility extended far beyond hockey, as he went on to represent in football, cricket, and rugby at divisional levels. In 1996, he took over as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union, a role he held until 2002, during which he worked tirelessly to expand the sport’s reach in India. In addition to his sports accomplishments, Paes developed an illustrious career in sports medicine. The Asian Cricket Council, the BCCI, and the Indian Davis Cup Team all relied on his medical guidance. His advocacy for athlete welfare, anti-doping awareness, and ethical sporting practices made him a trusted figure in multiple sporting disciplines.
His legacy rests on five pillars — Olympic glory, multi-sport excellence, visionary medical contributions, sports administration leadership, and unwavering mentorship. By blending athletic skill with medical expertise, he helped redefine athlete care in India and set new benchmarks in professionalism, integrity, and dedication.
An Enduring Inspiration
Dr. Paes’s life represents a unique synthesis of sporting achievement, visionary leadership, and medical service to sport. His ability to combine on-field achievement with off-field innovation has left an indelible mark on India’s sporting ecosystem.
As Kolkata and the wider sports fraternity mourn his passing, his story will continue to inspire future generations to aim for excellence both on the field and beyond.
