Vece Paes, Olympics bronze medallist and father of Indian tennis legend Leander Paes, dies at age of 80
Legendary hockey player and Olympics bronze medal-winning Indian sports star Dr Vece Paes died at the age of 80 on Thursday. Vece was the father of Indian tennis legend Leander Paes.
He was suffering from advanced stage of Parkinson's disease and was admitted to the Woodlands Hospital here on Tuesday morning. Vece was married to Jennifer, a former India basketball player, who also served as the national team captain.
Vece Paes last rites will be performed either on Monday or Tuesday, as the family will wait for the arrival of his daughters – who are both settled abroad.
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. His son, Leander Paes, often spoke of his father's influence and inspiration in shaping his own sporting career, particularly his passion for representing India at the Olympics.
In addition to hockey, he 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. Hockey India mourns loss of Vece Paes
Hockey India on Thursday mourned the sad demise of Dr Vece Paes, the charismatic midfielder from the golden era of Indian Hockey. An unshakable pillar of Indian sports, the 80-year-old Dr Paes leaves behind a legacy of achievement both in and out of competition, motivating countless athletes and sports admirers.
'It is a sad day for us in Hockey India. The passing of Dr Paes draws curtains on a great era of hockey. The Olympic medal in Munich is a testament to their grit and determination. I had the good fortune of meeting him a few times and I have always been inspired by his passion for sports in general. He was a great advocate of inculcating sporting culture in the country. We at Hockey India express our deepest condolences to his wife Jennifer, son Leander and their whole family. We stand together in their grief,' expressed Dr Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh too expressed his deepest condolences, and said, 'On behalf of Hockey India, we extend our deepest condolences to Leander, his mother and their family. His achievements in sports and sports science will always be remembered and his legacy will live on forever.' Vece Paes donned multiple hats
A sports medicine doctor, he worked as a medical consultant with several sports bodies including the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian Davis Cup team.
His son, Leander, took Indian sports to great heights, becoming the most successful tennis player in the country's history by winning 18 Grand Slam titles, including eight men's doubles and 10 mixed doubles crowns. Leander also won the men's singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, thus keeping the family tradition alive of winning a medal at the quadrennial showpiece.
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