Former India Olympian Vece Paes's funeral attended by Ganguly, Tirkey and sporting fraternity

Olympic bronze medallist and sports medicine expert Dr. Vece Paes was laid to rest in a funeral service on Sunday. Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey joined numerous mourners in the procession.

Young players formed a guard of honour with raised hockey sticks as the hearse proceeded to the Maidan tent. Hockey Bengal officials were present to pay their respects.

Tennis legend Leander Paes was deeply emotional at his father's funeral. Sourav Ganguly offered comfort by embracing him and sharing words of support.

The funeral mass was conducted at St Thomas' Church on Middleton Row. Former India cricketer Arun Lal and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien joined the family and sports community in bidding farewell.

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The service concluded with interment at the Lower Circular Road Cemetery on AJC Bose Road. The graveside ceremony included flower offerings and candle lighting.

The funeral procession made a stop at the Hockey Bengal tent where Dilip Tirkey paid his respects. The coffin was draped with flags of East Bengal club, Mohun Bagan, and Hockey Bengal.

Calcutta Cricket and Football Club member Noomi Mehta, a former rugby teammate of Dr. Paes, was present to console Leander Paes.

Dr. Paes passed away on Thursday at 80 due to age-related illness and Parkinson's disease. He was known as a multifaceted sportsman who excelled as a hockey midfielder and rugby player before becoming a prominent sports medicine expert.

"Dr Paes's absence will always remain in the hearts of sports fans, sports fraternities, and many other hockey players. As a player, as a doctor, he has supported the players a lot," Tirkey told PTI.

"During the camp, he used to stay with the team, take care of the players, treat them, for many years, free of cost. As far as I am concerned, personally I saw him from close quarters during the Athens Olympics in 2004."

"Today we are talking about sports science, and how players can advance in sports through this. But doctor have brought this in many years ago, and used to pay attention to this. Today, you are seeing the result of this."

"In Indian sports, for the first time, we saw from one family, father and son winning Olympics medals -- Dr. Paes in hockey and then Leander in tennis. His mother was also the Indian basketball team captain. So it was a complete sports family."

"Dr Paes absence will always be there. And we will never forget his contribution to hockey and the players and sports in general," Tirkey added.

Dr. Paes served as president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. After his playing career, he focused on sports medicine, working as a consultant for various sports organisations.

He provided his expertise to the BCCI, Asian Cricket Council, All India Football Federation, and the Indian Olympic Association. He also travelled with the Indian Davis Cup team.

Dr. Paes graduated from Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata. He was renowned for his sporting achievements and his dedication as a doctor and administrator.

He was also recognised for his strong stance against age fraud and doping in sports.