Dr Vece Paes, 1972 Olympics Bronze Medalist and Sports Medicine Pioneer, Passes Away at 80

Strategic Insights -

Dr Vece Paes, a renowned Indian hockey player and sports medicine expert, passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 80, after battling Parkinson's disease for years. Born in Goa in 1945, Dr Paes was a member of the Indian hockey team that won bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics, in addition to playing football, cricket, and rugby, and serving as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. He worked as a medical consultant with the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Indian Davis Cup team.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr Vece Paes, a 1972 Olympics bronze medalist, passed away at the age of 80 after battling Parkinson's disease for years.
  • Born in Goa in 1945, Dr Paes studied a pre-medical course at Presidency College in Kolkata from 1964-65 and had earlier attended La Martiniere College in Lucknow.
  • He played multiple sports, including hockey, football, cricket, and rugby, and served as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002.
  • Dr Paes worked as a medical consultant with the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Indian Davis Cup team.
  • Family sources said his last rites will be held on Monday or Tuesday, as the family is waiting for the arrival of his daughters from abroad.
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari expressed condolences on social media, highlighting Dr Paes's contributions to hockey and sports medicine.

Statistics:

  • Dr Vece Paes was 80 years old at the time of his passing.
  • He battled Parkinson's disease for several years.
  • His last rites will be held on Monday or Tuesday, depending on the arrival of his daughters from abroad.
  • Dr Paes was a member of the Indian hockey team that won bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
  • He served as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002.

Sources:

  • Hospital statement, August 14, 2025
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, social media post
  • Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, social media post