Sports community pays tribute to Dr Vece Paes

Sania Mirza and former Indian hockey stars mourned the passing of Dr Vece Paes, ex-Olympian and father of Leander Paes, recalling his dedication to athlete welfare and sports medicine

Hyderabad: Six-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza paid glowing tributes to Dr. Vece Paes, former Olympian and father of Leander Paes,who passed away on Thursday in Kolkata.

“I first met Dr. Vece Paes in Busan where he was the team’s Doctor for the 2002 Asian Games. He was an extremely likeable person and a thorough professional,” Sania informed ‘Telangana Today ‘.

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“Over the years I developed a trusted relationship with him as he was always part of the Indian team in Asian Games, CWG and Olympics,” said Sania, India’s greatest ever woman tennis player from Hyderabad.

“Dr. Paes’ passing away is a shock to me and several other colleagues from the tennis fraternity. My thoughts are with Leander at this difficult time for him and may God give him the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” said Sania.

For his part, 1996 Atlanta Olympics Indian hockey goalkeeper Alloysius Edwards recalled that Dr. Paes was a “wonderful human being, always ready to help anyone”.

“He was our Indian hockey team doctor in the 1989 national camp in Bengaluru before going to Holland. I couldn’t make it because I was down with appendicitis and he was taking care of me like my father,” Alloysius said.

“Very rarely do we see such a humble and very straight forward champion athlete in modern day sport,” the former India goalkeeper said. “Definitely, his vast experience as India international was also one of the reasons for him being aware of the needs and aspirations of young players cutting across disciplines,” Alloysius said.

Former India hockey captain N. Mukesh Kumar also recalled the warmth with which Dr. Paes used to treat every athlete whom he met. “He was always easily approachable and was more than willing to help anyone. His first love was sports and welfare of athletes,” Mukesh said.