Legendary shuttler passes away in his sleep a month after his wife
IPOH: The late legendary shuttler Datuk Tan Yee Khan passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday morning, one month after his wife passed on in her sleep at home.
Tan was 86, and the wife 83.
Tan’s daughter Yin Mei said the family did not inform the father, who was in a nursing home, that her mother passed away on Christmas Day last year.
“We didn’t let him know that my mother had passed. We never expected him to follow her so soon.
“Perhaps there was a strong connection between them,” she told Sin Chew Daily.
Yin Mei said Tan moved to a nursing home in Simee, Ipoh about a year ago for professional care as her mother was too old to take care of him.
She noted that her father’s long career in badminton had taken a toll on his heart, and he suffered from muscle stiffness and mobility issues.
Despite the fact that he was confined to a wheelchair and suffered recurring pain from urinary tract infections, Yin Mei described her father as an incredibly optimistic person who faced life with a smile until the very end.
Interestingly, despite his legendary status, Tan did not encourage his three children—Yin Mei, 55, Chik Wai, 53, and Yin Fong, 46—to follow in his athletic footsteps.
All three pursued careers in law and are practicing lawyers today.
“He always felt that a career in badminton would be hard to earn a living. He believed education was the only true path,” Yen Mai recalled with a smile.
“He insisted on sending us abroad for further studies and never personally taught us how to play badminton,” she said.
Though he kept his children away from the court, Tan’s eye for talent remained sharp.
He was instrumental in grooming players based on their physical build and potential.
One of his most notable protégés was Olympic silver medalist Datuk Cheah Soon Kit, whom Tan personally handpicked and mentored, said Yin Mei.
Renowned shuttlers Datuk Rashid Sidek, Datuk Foo Kok Keong, Cheah and others were attending the wake to pay their last respects, as the family had informed the Badminton Association of Malaysia about Tan’s passing, said Yin Mei.
She also revealed that her father once declined an invitation to coach in Taiwan because he wanted to stay in Malaysia to care for his aging parents.
Even in retirement, Tan’s love for sports never waned.
He became a professional-level golfer, competing internationally. However, his first love remained badminton.
“Whenever a match was on TV, he would watch it intently, analyzing the players’ mistakes.
“He is very passionate about badminton,” she said.
The family has a huge collection of photographs, trophies, medals and badminton rackets kept at home till today.
Tan was conferred the P.J.N. which carries the title Datuk, in 2023.
At that time, he was already using a wheelchair and showing early signs of dementia, she said.
Tan owns a hotel in Pangkor which is now managed by his children.
The wake will be held today (Tuesday) from 12pm to 10pm, and from 8.30am to 10am tomorrow at Vcare Memorial Centre, No. 82, Jalan Masjid, 30300 Ipoh.
The cortege departs at 10am, Wednesday for the final rites and cremation at Papan Memorial Park Crematorium, Ipoh.
