Story by K.H. Ong
IT was a touching scene as former Penang badminton coach Khoo Kay Choo was being inducted into the Hall of Fame by Chung Hwa School Union during the 2nd Penang Alumni Badminton Tournament dinner at the Majestic Theatre in George Town.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease about two years ago, Khoo was aided by several former players whom he had mentored as he stepped forward to receive the framed certificate from State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee on July 28.
“I feel honoured to be accorded this award. It’s worth all the effort to spend most of my life as a badminton player and coach,” said Khoo, 77, as his wife, Ch’ng Cheng Hong, 76, proudly looked on.
Also present at the dinner were Ideal Property Group chief operating officer Datuk Goh Teng Whoo, Outdoor Solution managing director Khoo Choon Hock and Yomax managing director Tan Beng Beng.
Khoo had contributed immensely towards the development of badminton to the state and country.
He represented Chung Hwa Confucian High School (1957-59), the state team for Foong Seong Cup (1960-1970) and Malaysia in the International School Boys Championship in 1963. Shaking hands with the then first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, who graced the International Boys Championship in Kuala Lumpur, was something unforgettable for him.
After his studies, he joined Tenaga Nasional as a junior technician and represented his employer together with formidable players like Tan Yee Khan, Ng Boon Bee and the late Datuk Punch Gunalan.
Khoo also has the distinction of being the longest serving coach for the Penang state team from 1975 to 2005. One of his greatest achievements was when he was awarded the BWF Meritorious Service Award in 1980.
He also coached the Malaysia back-up squad that toured China in 1983 and the Malaysia Badminton Deaf Team to Taipei in 2000 and 2001.
“For a coach, one of the most difficult decisions is when you have to drop players to name your final squad. A few may be unhappy with the decision and become bitter. You have no choice but to pick the best to represent the state or country. I believe this also happens to coaches in other sports,” he said.
While many of the state players came under his wing, Khoo is noted for producing a number of women star players like Uber Cuppers Khor Lay See, Lim Siew Choon, Tan Sui Hoon and Chin Ee Hui, the current national mixed doubles coach.
Nowadays, Khoo rarely ventures out from his Mutiara Villa condominium at Jalan Bagan Jermal because of his restricted mobility. He spends his time watching sports on television as his wife continues to be a pillar of strength for him, like during his heyday.
Their son, Boo Boon, 51, also loves badminton and in fact, flew from the United States after taking part in a competition to represent Old Frees Association in the alumni badminton championship.
Today, he flew back to Hong Kong where he is working for Wells Fargo, the American multinational financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Boo Boon’s two sons – Raymond, 15, and Kelvin, 12 – are showing great promise in badminton. Kelvin recently captured the Hong Kong Under-12 title.
Organising tournament chairman Gary Poh, who is also the vice-president of the Chung Hwa School Union, said they felt Khoo was a deserving recipient for the award.
“He had spent at least 30 years in coaching and we’re proud that he comes from Chung Hwa School. As such, we want to recognise his contributions. I hope other alumni will also appreciate theirs not only in badminton but also in any other forms of contributions,” Poh said.
The tournament, which drew eight teams, ended with Chung Ling High School Union beating Old Xaverians Association 4-3 in an exciting final yesterday.