Indian hockey lost one of its golden-era stalwarts with the passing of Dr Vece Paes, the 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medallist and father of tennis legend Leander Paes. He died in Kolkata on Thursday at the age of 80 after battling advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Born in Goa in April 1945, Paes was an exceptional midfielder who represented India at the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona, winning bronze, before securing another bronze at the 1972 Munich Games. His sporting journey began at the school and college level, eventually leading to a professional career with clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. He played alongside icons such as 1975 World Cup-winning captain Ajit Pal Singh and was known for his tireless energy on the field.
Paes’ contributions extended far beyond hockey. He played football, cricket, and rugby, serving as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. A qualified sports medicine doctor, he worked with the BCCI, Asian Cricket Council, and Indian Davis Cup team, also leading anti-doping education programmes.
A devoted family man, Paes was married to Jennifer, a former India basketball captain. His son, Leander, went on to win 18 Grand Slam titles and the men’s singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, continuing the family’s Olympic legacy.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey called him “an unshakable pillar of Indian sports” and praised his lifelong passion for promoting sporting culture. Paes’ last rites will be held after his daughters arrive from abroad, with the sports fraternity remembering him as a gentleman, mentor, and true all-rounder in Indian sport.
