Leander Paes' father, Vece Paes, has passed away. He was an Olympic Bronze Medallist.
Remembering the Multifaceted Legacy of Vece Paes
Vece Paes, a renowned figure in Indian sports, passed away at the age of 80 on August 14, 2025. Paes, a charismatic midfielder from the golden era of Indian Hockey, left behind a legacy of achievement both in and out of competition.
Born on April 30, 1945, in Goa, Paes moved to Kolkata for his medical studies, where he excelled in hockey as well as other sports. His hockey career spanned from the mid-1960s through the early 1970s, playing for prominent Kolkata clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, winning multiple domestic titles such as the Beighton Cup and Calcutta League championships nine times each. Internationally, he debuted for India in 1966 and played until 1972, under captain Gurbux Singh, achieving significant success, including bronze medals at the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona and the 1972 Munich Olympics.
After retiring from active play, Paes became a sports medicine specialist, contributing profoundly to Indian sports from the sidelines by consulting for leading organizations like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Asian Cricket Council, All India Football Federation, Indian Olympic Association, and the All India Tennis Association from 1991 onward. He was also instrumental in anti-doping initiatives and athlete health management, raising professional standards in Indian sport.
Beyond medicine and hockey, Paes held leadership roles such as President of the Indian Rugby Football Union (1996–2002) and President of the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, showcasing his versatile involvement across multiple disciplines including cricket, rugby, football, and hockey administration.
Paes' personal legacy also includes his role as the father and early mentor of tennis legend Leander Paes, influencing Indian tennis through his guidance and sports science expertise.
Dr Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, expressed his condolences to Paes' family, stating, "Vece Paes was a trailblazer in Indian sports, inspiring countless athletes and sports admirers. His contributions to Indian hockey, sports medicine, and sports administration will be remembered forever." Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, also shared his condolences, adding, "Vece Paes' influence extended far beyond the sports field, inspiring a generation of sports enthusiasts and administrators."
A career timeline of Paes' achievements includes his birth in Goa in 1945, schooling and early hockey in Bengaluru and Kolkata, medical education completed at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, playing for the Indian national field hockey team from 1966 to 1972, and practicing general surgery, then specializing in sports medicine from 1984 to 2000. He served as a sports medicine consultant to AITA and other major sports bodies from 1991 onwards, and held the position of President of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002, among other leadership roles.
Dr Tirkey, President of Hockey India, and Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, expressed their condolences to Leander Paes and his family. Leander Paes, who represented India at the Olympics, spoke often of his father's influence and inspiration in shaping his own sporting career.
Dr Paes' love for sports extended beyond hockey, as he played divisional cricket, football, and rugby in addition to hockey. His achievements in sports and sports science will always be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts in India.
- Vece Paes' influence in sports extended beyond hockey, as he played divisional cricket, football, and rugby, demonstrating his passion for multiple sports.
- Paes also pursued education, completing his medical studies at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata.
- In recognition of his contributions to Indian sports, science, and culture, Paes was widely respected and admired, leaving a multifaceted legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
