Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek
KUALA LUMPUR: The death of badminton legend Datuk Eddy Choong Ewe Beng is a big loss to badminton, sports and the country said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Shabery said Eddy Choong’s contributions to the development of badminton in the country and his achievements cannot be paralleled or replaced.
“I was informed that throughout his playing career, he had not created any problems. He was also not stingy in sharing his knowledge, experience or secrets with others.
“With his success throughout his career, he can be regarded as a catalyst to the success of badminton in the country and his demise will be a big loss to sports and the country,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Eddy Choong, 83, died of heart complications at the Loh Guan Lye Specialist Centre in Penang, on Monday.
Ahmad Shabery who offered his deepest condolence to Eddy Choong’s wife Datin Maggie Thean Sun Lim and his family said Eddy Choong’s desire and love for the country inspired him to win although there were minimal facilities at his disposal during that time.
Eddy Choong won the men’s singles at the All England Open Badminton Championships four times between 1953 and 1957 when it was considered the unofficial world championship.
He also reached the All-England singles final in 1952 and 1955 and won the men’s doubles with his brother, the late David Choong in 1951, 1952, and 1953.
He was a member of the 1955 Malayan Thomas Cup team which retained the world team championship. — Bernama