Vece Paes, Olympic hockey bronze medallist and sports icon, passes away
New Delhi
Dr. Vece Paes, a member of India's bronze medal-winning hockey squad at the 1972 Munich Olympics and father of tennis legend Leander Paes, passed away in Kolkata on Thursday morning. He was 80.
Battling Parkinson's in final days
Paes had been suffering from an advanced stage of Parkinson's disease and was admitted to a city hospital on Tuesday morning, where his condition deteriorated.
Multi-Sport Athlete and Hockey Midfielder
A versatile sportsperson, Paes represented India as a midfielder in hockey while also excelling in football, cricket, and rugby. He served as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002, contributing significantly to the sport's development in the country.
Pioneering Role in Sports Medicine
Beyond his playing career, Paes was a respected sports medicine expert. He worked with leading sports organisations, including the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Indian Davis Cup team, providing medical expertise to athletes across disciplines.
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