Mumbai, August 18: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday expressed deep sorrow on the demise of Olympian and noted sports medicine specialist Dr Vece Paes. Dr Paes, who died on Thursday, was a member of India’s bronze medal-winning men’s hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics and also represented the country in the 1971 Hockey World Cup. Dr Vece Paes Dies: Member of 1972 Olympics Bronze Medal-Winning India Hockey Team and Father of Indian Tennis Great Leander Paes, Passes Away at 80. Paes, 80, went on to establish himself as one of India’s leading sports medicine experts after his playing career, working extensively with athletes across disciplines for several decades. Dr. Paes was associated with the BCCI from October 2010 to March 2018 as an Anti-Doping and Age Verification Consultant. BCCI Mourns Demise of Dr Vece Paes 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗖𝗖𝗜 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿. 𝗩𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗲𝘀 Former Olympic medalist & sports medicine expert, Dr. Paes served as BCCI's Anti-Doping & Age Verification Consultant from 2010–2018, introducing educational programmes that strengthened clean sport… pic.twitter.com/2sAL9l2D38 — BCCI (@BCCI) August 18, 2025 He introduced structured educational programmes for anti-doping within the BCCI, significantly enhancing awareness and compliance among players and support staff. His expertise and commitment were instrumental in strengthening the Board’s anti-doping education and testing framework, as well as in implementing age-verification and athlete welfare initiatives. Paes’ professional integrity and passion for clean sport left an indelible mark on Indian cricket’s support systems. The BCCI said it joins the sporting community in mourning the loss of Paes and in celebrating a life devoted to excellence, integrity, and service to sport. Dr Vece Paes Dies: Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association Mourns Demise of Indian Hockey Legend As He Passes Away at Age 80. “Dr. Paes’s association with the BCCI reflected his belief in safeguarding the spirit of sport. His meticulous work in anti-doping, including the introduction of educational initiatives, and his efforts in age verification have benefitted generations of cricketers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Leander Paes, his family and loved ones,” said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in a statement. Paes was laid to rest on Sunday in a funeral mass held at St Thomas’ Church in Kolkata. Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey were amongst the mourners who joined the bereaved family, friends and members of the sporting fraternity in bidding farewell to Paes.