Vece Paes (30 April 1945 – 14 August 2025) was an Indian field hockey player. He was a midfielder. He was also a sports physician and sports administrator. Paes was part of the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. His father and three siblings were doctors. He did his schooling at St. Joseph’s Boys' School, Bangalore from 1951 to 1962 and later, moved back to Kolkata for his pre-university at St. Xavier's College from 1963 to 1964 He also practiced general surgery from 1974 to 1983 and later, specialised in corporate and sports medicine (1984–2000).
Playing career
It was his teacher at St. Xavier's College in Kolkata, Cecil K. Leeming, a Catholic priest and lecturer, who encouraged him to take up hockey. Paes father, Peter, opposed it initially, as it would affect his future career in medicine. He joined East Bengal hockey team in 1966 and played for 13 years. He won 9 Beighton Cups and 9 Calcutta League titles and Olympian Gurbux Singh was also part of the team with him. He worked with the Indian Olympic Association during events such as the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was also the team doctor for India’s Davis Cup team.
Cricket anti-doping and fitness
Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Sports Medicine and Fitness Consultant (2001–2009): developed sports medicine programmes across 18 Asian countries, including peak performance, age verification, and anti-doping initiatives; served as tutor for ACC–Cricket Australia courses.
He was the Anti-Doping Consultant of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2010 to 2025 and oversaw national anti-doping programmes, compliance, testing, athlete education, and the National Player Pool whereabouts system.