India woke up to somber news this Thursday as Dr. Vece Paes, the iconic hockey midfielder and Olympic bronze medalist, passed away in Kolkata at the age of 80. Dr. Paes had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for years and was admitted to Woodlands Hospital late on August 12 due to multiorgan dysfunction caused by lower respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections. Despite medical efforts, he breathed his last in the early hours of August 14, 2025.
Legacy on and off the Field
Born in Goa in April 1945, Vece Paes was more than just a sportsman; he was a force in Indian athletics and sports science. He played a pivotal role in India’s only medal win at the 1972 Munich Olympics—bringing home a bronze in field hockey and cementing his place among the country’s legendary athletes. But his influence extended beyond hockey. A doctor of sports medicine by training, Dr. Paes later became president of the historic Calcutta Cricket and Football Club and held posts with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Sports administrators and former colleagues remember him as a visionary. Sunil Yajaman, Joint Secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), noted, “He was at the forefront of sports science in the country, and his contributions to the Indian sports ecosystem will be remembered forever.” The Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association echoed these sentiments, calling him “a great human being and gentleman.”
A Lasting Influence Across Generations
Dr. Paes’ sporting legacy lives on through his son, Leander Paes, one of India’s greatest tennis icons. Leander has often spoken about his father’s influence—especially his passion for representing India on international stages like the Olympics. The close-knit Paes family has long symbolized dedication to Indian sport.
On social media, tributes poured in from organizations like the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and KSLTA. The IOA shared heartfelt condolences: “On behalf of everyone at IOA, expressing our deep sadness on the news of the passing of 1972 Munich Olympic Medalist Dr Vece Paes.”
For Indian sport, Thursday wasn’t just a day of mourning but also one of reflection—celebrating a man who bridged eras and disciplines with equal parts grace and grit.
