Vece Paes
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A brief profile
Saibal Bose, August 15, 2025: The Times of India
Kolkata : Vece Paes was a rare elite sportsperson who also leaves behind his mark as a highly respected sports medicine specialist.
Paes was the father of tennis great Leander.
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. 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. 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.
VECE PROFILE
Born: April 30, 1945 in Goa
School: St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, Bangalore (1951–1962)
College: St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta (1963–1964); Presidency College, Calcutta (1964–1965)
Medical education: MBBS from Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital.
Achievements
● Was part of bronze medal-winning hockey teams at Barcelona World Cup in 1971 and Munich Olympics in 1972
● Involved as sports medicine specialist in various capacities with Asian Cricket Council, Indian Olympic Association, Board of Control for Cricket in India, All India Football Federation, All India Tennis Association, East Bengal football club
● Was president of Indian Rugby Football Union (1996-2002)
