Daijiworld Media Network- Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 14: Vece Paes, former India hockey great and member of the 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medal-winning team, passed away on Thursday at the age of 80. He was the father of tennis icon Leander Paes, one of India’s most celebrated sportspersons.

Paes had been battling advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease and was admitted to Woodlands Hospital here early Tuesday morning. His family confirmed that the last rites will be held on Monday or Tuesday, awaiting the arrival of his daughters from abroad.

A versatile athlete and a true sportsman, Vece Paes was also part of the Indian men’s hockey team that secured bronze at the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona. A midfielder by position, he showcased his talent across disciplines — including football, cricket, and rugby. He later served as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union between 1996 and 2002.

Married to Jennifer, a former Indian basketball captain, Paes had an enduring presence in Indian sports not only as a player but also as a sports medicine doctor. He worked closely with leading sports bodies such as the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Indian Davis Cup team.

Leander Paes carried forward the family’s Olympic legacy, clinching the men’s singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games, along with a glittering career that saw him win 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles.

The Indian sporting fraternity mourns the loss of Vece Paes — a man who left an indelible mark both on and off the field.