Vece Paes, Olympic bronze medallist and sports medicine pioneer, passes away at 80
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olkata: Vece Paes, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, was a rare elite sportsperson who also leaves behind his mark as a highly respected sports medicine specialist.
Paes, father of tennis great Leander, had been under treatment at a city hospital since Tuesday owing to complications arising out of longstanding Parkinson's disease and age related issues. He was 80 and had been ailing for quite some time.
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As per a statement from the hospital, Paes was admitted 'with multiorgan dysfunction due to lower respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract infections'. Incidentally, Paes was a medical practitioner at this hospital in the 1960s.
Bengal Hockey Association officials informed that the funeral will be held on Monday, after his brother and daughters arrive from the US.
Paes' close friend Gurbux Singh was heartbroken when he heard the news. 'I have lost a friend of 60 years,' Gurbux told TOI. 'I was captain of India in 1966 when he first came into the team. Since then we had been very close. Apart from being a good player, he was a great human being too.'
The Goa-born Paes earned his medical degree at the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata, which subsequently became his home. The hockey midfielder achieved the high point of his career when he earned an Olympic bronze at the 1972 Munich Games as a member of the Indian team.
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Which of Vece Paes' achievements do you admire the most?
Olympic bronze medal Medical career Anti-doping initiatives Leadership in sports organizations
The previous year, he was part of the team that won bronze in the Barcelona World Cup. Leander has often said that it was this bronze that motivated him to reach the heights in tennis.
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The senior Paes, in fact, had a significant role to play in his son's career. He relived the 1972 Olympic moment in 1996 when Leander won a bronze at the Atlanta Games.
Incidentally, Paes' former wife and Leander's mother Jennifer is a former captain of the national basketball team.
Vece Paes' contribution to sport goes well beyond just his presence on the hockey field. After he quit the game, he became a full-time sports medicine specialist.
Various organisations like Board of Control for Cricket in India, Asian Cricket Council, All India Football Federation and Indian Olympic Association had involved him as a sports medicine consultant. He had also travelled with the Indian Davis Cup team as the doctor.
Apart from that he had been associated with various clubs and sports bodies from time to time, including East Bengal where he had assisted Bhaichung Bhutia among others.
His work towards anti-doping awareness and education has been lauded.
Apart from hockey, Paes was passionate about rugby and was also the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. He also played cricket and football at the divisional level. A multi-faceted personality, Paes leaves behind a legacy in Indian sport that will be forever remembered.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee condoled his death. 'Saddened by the demise of Dr Vece Paes, member of the bronze medal winning team at the 1972 Olympic Games. His contribution to hockey and sports medicine will be remembered,' she posted on X.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, former hockey players Ajit Pal Singh, BP Govinda, Viren Rasquinha, tennis ace Sania Mirza were among those who paid their tributes.
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