West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed profound grief over the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, a revered figure in Indian sports, who died in Kolkata at 80 due to age-related ailments, including advanced Parkinson’s disease. A bronze medalist with the Indian men’s hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Paes was celebrated not only for his athletic prowess but also for his groundbreaking contributions to sports medicine, leaving an indelible mark on hockey, cricket, tennis, and football.
Banerjee, in a heartfelt post on X, lauded Paes’ dedication, stating, “His contributions to hockey and sports medicine will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, including Leander, his friends, and the members of the many clubs in Kolkata he was associated with.” Paes, the father of tennis icon Leander Paes, was a multifaceted sportsman whose influence extended far beyond the hockey field. His gentle guidance shaped Leander’s illustrious career, with the father-son duo becoming one of India’s most iconic sporting pairs.
Dr. Paes’ versatility was remarkable. A midfielder in the 1972 Olympic team, he played alongside legends like Ajit Pal Singh and Harbinder Singh, earning praise for his distribution and tackling skills. “He was a terrific centre-half and a true gentleman,” recalled Singh, noting Paes’ mentorship during their Olympic campaign. Former captain B P Govinda lamented that internal politics may have denied Paes a spot in the 1968 Olympics, underscoring his talent and humility.
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Beyond hockey, Paes excelled in divisional cricket, football, and rugby, later serving as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. As a sports physician, he worked with the BCCI’s anti-doping program, the Asian Cricket Council, the Indian Davis Cup team, and even mentored footballers like Bhaichung Bhutia at East Bengal. Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, who worked with Paes during the 2004 Athens Olympics, described him as “knowledgeable, warm, and jovial,” adding, “They don’t make them like Doc anymore.”
Paes, a Presidency College alumnus, also served as president of the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club and was married to former basketball player Jennifer Paes. His legacy, as Banerjee and others noted, inspires generations, with tributes pouring in from Hockey India and sports figures like Vishal Uppal, who called him a “selfless icon.” As India mourns, Paes’ contributions continue to resonate across the sporting world.
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