Tun Siti Hasmah served as BAM patron during 1992 Thomas Cup victory

A Lifelong Passion Cut Short by Failing Vision

According to historical accounts of her sporting pursuits, she continued to play the sport competitively and recreationally until she reached the age of 75, stepping away from the court only after sustaining an injury that forced her to lay down her racket.

Even after her active playing days concluded, her enthusiasm for the game persisted. In later reflections, she candidly and humorously described how the white projectile against a white background would occasionally vanish from her field of vision just as it approached her.

Empowering Women Through Club Athletics

In 1985, during her tenure as president of the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (BAKTI), she spearheaded the establishment of the organization's inaugural badminton team.

The pioneering squad consisted of married women and mothers, several of whom were already grandmothers, yet they trained with rigorous dedication and competed in local tournaments. Under her guidance, the initiative expanded to other states, encouraging officials' spouses nationwide to form their own competitive squads.

The 1980s National Team Connection and the 1992 Thomas Cup Triumph

Her most celebrated contribution to Malaysian sport, however, remains her deep bond with the national badminton team. Having served as a patron of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), she played an influential behind-the-scenes role in Malaysia’s historic victory at the 1992 Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

On May 16, 1992, at the Negara Stadium, Malaysia faced Indonesia in a high-stakes showdown. With the championship hanging in the balance, the doubles pair of Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang stepped onto the court for the second men's match.

Malaysia ultimately defeated Indonesia 3–2, reclaiming the Thomas Cup trophy after a 25-year drought.

One of the most notable anecdotes from that tournament involved resolving friction between Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang. Recognizing their individual talents, she spoke with both athletes privately to reinforce that they were ideal partners for one another, a conversation that culminated in the duo securing the winning point in the final.