PETALING JAYA: Datuk Tan Yee Khan, a member of Malaysia’s 1967 Thomas Cup-winning team, passed away on Monday (Jan 26) at the age of 85.
Yee Khan was part of the national badminton squad that reclaimed the Thomas Cup in Jakarta in 1967, ending a 12-year title drought.
Competing in men’s doubles, Yee Khan formed a formidable partnership with the late Datuk Ng Boon Bee, winning numerous titles together, including the 1965 and 1966 All-England titles.
The other achievements include two gold medals at the Asian Games, in 1962 in Jakarta and 1966 in Bangkok.
Yee Khan also clinched consecutive Asian Championships titles, first in Kuala Lumpur in the men’s doubles and team events in 1962, and three years later in Lucknow in the mixed doubles and men’s team events.
Former state player and numerous champion in senior badminton, Chan Wan Seong was saddened.
“He was my coach in the Perak state team in 1973-74. Tough coach but kind-hearted,” said Wan Seong.
“I was the only player in the team to qualify for entrance to University of Malaya (Malaysia’s top university) in 1974 but did not have the money.
“Datuk Tan Yee Khan brought me to a Perak tycoon’s office to seek financial assistance for me. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any assistance but I am forever grateful and will not forget his kind gesture.
“Thomas Cupper Dominic Soong and I were in the same Perak team coached by Datuk Tan. He was late Datuk Punch Gunalan’s men’s doubles partner after Ng Boon Bee retired.
“I last met Datuk Tan in the 1990s when I visited him in his Seaview Pangkor Resort. He will be missed.”
Note – more to follow
