Dato' Datuk (or its variant Dato or Datu) is a Malay honorific title commonly used in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, as well as a traditional title by Minangkabau people in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Use of the title various between locations, in some ...

Ng Boon Bee (; 17 December 1937 – 3 August 2022) was a Malaysian

badminton Badminton is a racquet sport played using racket (sports equipment), racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net (device), net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one player per s ...

player who excelled from the 1960s through the early 1970s. His success in doubles earned him recognition as one of greatest doubles players in badminton history.

Early life

Ng started to play badminton when he was ten years inspired by his badminton-playing father. He was the third child from five siblings. His first success in badminton came in 1955 when he became Perak schoolboy champ in the singles and doubles. A year later, he won the Perak junior. He also excelled in all types of sports beside badminton such as athletics,

tennis Tennis is a List of racket sports, racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent (singles (tennis), singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles (tennis), doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket st ...

, rugby, and playing

association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...

at the national level. It was some time in 1961 that he finally decided to concentrate on badminton.

Career

During the 1960s, Ng and his partner,

Tan Yee Khan Tan Yee Khan (; born 24 September 1940) is a former Malaysian badminton player who represented his country in badminton events around the world during the 1960s. Career Though capable of high level singles (he won Japan's "World Invitati ...

formed one of the most successful men's doubles teams of the decade, winning most of the sport's biggest titles including the coveted All England,

Asian Games The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years for athletes of Asia. The Games were regulated by Asian Games Federation from the 1951 Asian Games, first Games in New Delhi, India in 1951, until ...

and Asian Championships. Known for his quickness, power, and anticipation, Ng was a member of the Malaysian squad that won the 1967

Thomas Cup The Thomas Cup, sometimes referred as World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition among teams representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport's global governing body. The championships h ...

, in a 6–3 controversial victory over Indonesia at the Istora Senayan Stadium. After Yee Khan retired in 1969, Ng formed a successful partnership with

Punch Gunalan Datuk Punch Gunalan (4 February 1944 – 15 August 2012) was a Malaysian badminton player, who achieved success in both singles and doubles competitions. Badminton career Gunalan was a talented right-hander who spent what might have been some ...

. One of their biggest achievements was beating Indonesia's combination of

Rudy Hartono Rudy Hartono Kurniawan (born Nio Hap Liang ( zh, s=梁海量, p=Liáng Hǎiliàng, poj=Niô͘ Hái-liâng); 18 August 1949) is an Indonesian former badminton player holding the record of winning the men's singles title at the All-England Champio ...

/ Indra Gunawan in the 1971 All-England final. There were other accomplishments too, including winning the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games and

1970 Commonwealth Games The 1970 British Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 16 to 25 July 1970. This was the first time the name British Commonwealth Games was adopted, the first time metric units rather than imperial units were used in all eve ...

in Edinburgh.

Personal life

Ng was married to Tong Yee Cheng. Together they had 2 children – Gillian and Thomas. Thomas was named after the prestigious Thomas Cup.

Death

On 3 August 2022, Ng died at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital due to

aneurysm An aneurysm is an outward :wikt:bulge, bulging, likened to a bubble or balloon, caused by a localized, abnormal, weak spot on a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms may be a result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also b ...

Awards

* 1968 Malaysia's Sportsman of the Year * He was inducted into the World

Badminton Hall of Fame The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Hall of Fame is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It honours both players and other contributors to the sport of badminton. The BWF Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization with the goal to preserve, celebrat ...

in 1998. * Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Hall of Fame 2015.

Honours

* Malaysia: ** Member of the

Order of the Defender of the Realm The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm () is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace of God-Defender of the Realm). The o ...

(A.M.N.) (1972) **Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2023) * Negeri Sembilan: ** Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja’afar (D.P.T.J.) – Dato' (2008)

Achievements

Olympic Games (demonstration)

''Men's doubles''

Commonwealth Games

''Men's doubles''

Asian Games

''Men's doubles'' ''Mixed doubles''

Asian Championships

''Men's doubles''

SEAP Games

''Men's doubles'' ''Mixed doubles''

International tournaments

''Men's doubles'' ''Mixed doubles''

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ng, Boon Bee 1937 births 2022 deaths Malaysian sportspeople of Chinese descent Malaysian male badminton players Badminton players from Ipoh Olympic badminton players for Malaysia Badminton players at the 1972 Summer Olympics Badminton players at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Badminton players at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Malaysia Commonwealth Games gold medallists in badminton Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Malaysia Commonwealth Games silver medallists in badminton Medallists at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Medallists at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games Asian Games medalists in badminton Badminton players at the 1962 Asian Games Badminton players at the 1966 Asian Games Badminton players at the 1970 Asian Games Asian Games gold medalists for Malaysia Asian Games silver medalists for Malaysia Asian Games bronze medalists for Malaysia Medalists at the 1962 Asian Games Medalists at the 1966 Asian Games Medalists at the 1970 Asian Games Competitors at the 1961 SEAP Games Competitors at the 1965 SEAP Games Competitors at the 1967 SEAP Games Competitors at the 1969 SEAP Games Competitors at the 1971 SEAP Games SEA Games medalists in badminton SEA Games gold medalists for Malaysia SEA Games silver medalists for Malaysia SEA Games bronze medalists for Malaysia Members of the Order of the Defender of the Realm