Mumbai, India – August 19, 2025 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Dr. Vece Paes, a former Olympian and renowned sports medicine expert who played a pivotal role in advancing anti-doping education within Indian cricket. He passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 80.
A member of India’s bronze medal-winning hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics and a participant in the 1971 Hockey World Cup, Dr. Paes had a distinguished career as both an athlete and a sports administrator. After retiring from international hockey, he became a respected figure in the field of sports medicine, serving athletes across disciplines with dedication and compassion.
Key BCCI advisor and anti-doping pioneer
Dr. Paes was associated with the BCCI from October 2010 to March 2018 as an Anti-Doping and Age Verification Consultant. He played a central role in developing structured anti-doping education programs, significantly raising awareness and compliance among Indian cricketers and their support staff.
His efforts were instrumental in building the BCCI’s anti-doping framework and implementing effective age-verification and athlete welfare initiatives. Dr. Paes’s work has left a lasting impact on cricket’s support systems and helped uphold the integrity of the game in India.
Tributes from the BCCI
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia paid tribute to Dr. Paes’s lasting contribution:
“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.”
Dr. Paes was the father of Indian tennis legend Leander Paes, and his life’s work has been widely respected across India’s sporting community.
Legacy of excellence and integrity
The BCCI joins the global sporting fraternity in mourning the loss of a figure who was synonymous with professionalism, fairness, and service to sport. Dr. Paes’s legacy will endure through the systems he helped establish and the generations of athletes he influenced through his unwavering commitment to clean sport.
