Mumbai, August 14: The sports fraternity has mourned the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, an Olympic medallist and father of tennis legend Leander Paes, who died on Thursday at the age of 80. A prominent midfielder from the golden era of Indian hockey, Dr. Paes was a member of the Indian team that clinched the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Dr. Paes, who served Indian sport with distinction both on and off the field, was suffering from an advanced stage of Parkinson's disease. He was admitted to Woodlands Hospital late on August 12 with multiorgan dysfunction due to lower respiratory tract & gastrointestinal tract infections. He had been under the Woodlands Home Care Service for the past ten months. Dr Vece Paes Dies: Olympic Bronze Medallist and Indian Hockey Legend Passes Away at 80.

Former India hockey team captain Viren Rasquinha said on X.

Viren Rasquinha's Tweet

Yusuf Pathan Condolences Demise of Vece Paes

Born in Goa in April, 1945, Dr Paes was exceptional in both sports and academics. Beyond his athletic achievements, he was also a doctor of sports medicine and served as president of the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. Dr Paes started his medical practice at NRS Medical College and Woodlands Hospital in the 1960s.

"Very saddened by the passing of former Indian player and Olympic bronze medallist Dr. Vece “Doc” Paes. The hockey family is grateful for what he gave to our sport as a player and then as a sports physician. We extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as Hockey India,” said FIH president Tayyab Ikram.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, a great hockey player, Olympic medallist & true motivator for athletes like me. Father of 7-time Olympian & Atlanta 1996 bronze medallist Leander Paes. His legacy in Indian sports will live on. May his soul rest in peace Om Shanti," said four-time Olympian Dhanraj Pillay.

Besides hockey, Paes showed his skills by playing divisional cricket, football, and rugby. His love for rugby led him to become the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. Dr Vece Paes Dies: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Expresses Grief at Hockey Legend’s Demise As He Passes Away at Age 80.

"An Olympian, seasoned sports administrator & sports medicine pioneer, he brought passion, vision & dedication to every game he touched. His legacy will forever inspire us & Indian Sports," Rugby India mourns the demise of its 1st president.

In football, Dr. Paes made invaluable contributions to sports medicine in India. He was Chairman of the AIFF Medical Commission from 2003 to 2006, during which he conceptualised comprehensive sports medicine programmes, sports medicine centres, training and accreditation of sports medicine teams, and propagated the Peak Performance Programme with the national teams (seniors, U19, U17 and U15), as well as various National Football League clubs. He later served as Chairman of the AIFF Medical Committee from 2017 to 2020.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2025 03:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).