Dr. Vece Paes, former Indian hockey star and Olympic bronze medallist, passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in sport — and an unfulfilled wish. In his final years, the former centre-half longed to once again hold the 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medal he had helped India win, a medal he had misplaced years ago.
Two years ago, Paes shared this wish with Ashok Kumar, son of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and his teammate from the 1972 squad. Ashok, who still had his own bronze from the same Olympics, agreed to lend it to Paes for six months so he could create a replica.
“It wasn’t easy to part with it — you know what that medal means,” Ashok told TimesofIndia.com. “He tried everywhere, in Mumbai and Kolkata, but the replica was never made. Eventually, he returned it to me.”
A Gentleman on and off the Field
Paes was known as one of the finest centre-halves of his time, remembered for helping Mohun Bagan win the Calcutta League in 1969 and for his calm, disciplined style. Two-time Olympic medallist Ajit Pal Singh, who captained India’s 1975 World Cup-winning team, recalled their early rivalry for the same position.
“I always feared Vece Paes — he kept me on my toes,” Ajit Pal said. “But he was a gentleman, very polished, polite, and never one for grudges. Even off the field, he carried himself with quiet dignity.”
Paes’ family was deeply rooted in sports — his wife represented India in basketball, while his son, Leander Paes, would go on to become an Olympic bronze medallist in tennis, making them one of the few father–son Olympic medal-winning duos in the world.
A Legacy Beyond Hockey
After his playing career, Paes dedicated himself to sports medicine, working with the Asian Cricket Council and the BCCI, and championing anti-doping education long before it became a mainstream concern. He also headed the Indian Rugby Football Union and served as president of the historic Calcutta Cricket and Football Club.
Yet, for those who knew him best, his final years were defined by that quiet, unfinished search for the lost medal — a symbol of his pride, perseverance, and love for the game.
The medal may never have been found, but the respect and affection Dr. Vece Paes earned across Indian sport will endure.
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