India, Aug. 14 -- Former India hockey great Vece Paes died on early on Thursday. He was 80. The charismatic midfielder lit up the Kolkata Maidan and was part of the Olympic bronze medal winning team at the 1972 Munich Games. He had also won a bronze at the inaugural World Cup in Barcelona 1971.

Paes leaves behind a legacy of achievements both on and off the field, motivating countless athletes and sports admirers.

"It is a sad day for us in Hockey India. The passing of Dr Paes draws curtains on a great era of hockey. The Olympic medal in Munich is a testament to their grit and determination. I had the good fortune of meeting him a few times and I have always been inspired by his passion for sports in general," Hockey India (HI) presiden...