Indian Olympic Hockey Medalist Dr. Vece Paes Passed Away on August 14, 2025

Obituary

On August 14, 2025, India mourned the demise of Dr. Vece Paes, former Indian Hockey Player and Olympic medalist, who passed away at the age of 80 in Kolkata, West Bengal. He was also the father of renowned Indian tennis player Leander Paes.


      - Dr. Vece Paes was born on April 30, 1945, in Goa. He made his international debut for the Indian hockey team at the Hamburg International Cup in 1966, marking the beginning of a distinguished sports career.

      - He won bronze medals at the 1971 Hockey World Cup held in Barcelona, Spain, and at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, contributing significantly to India’s international hockey success.

     

Main Point :-   (i) Dr. Paes served as a Doctor of Sports Medicine across the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Indian Davis Cup tennis team, offering his expertise to multiple disciplines.

      (ii) He held the position of President of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002 and took on leadership roles at the prestigious Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, showcasing his versatility in sports administration.

(iii) Beyond his personal achievements, Dr. Vece Paes is remembered for his contribution to Indian sports and as the father of Leander Paes, one of India’s most celebrated tennis players, leaving a lasting legacy in both hockey and tennis.

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