1. Overview
Dato' Ng Boon Bee (伍文美Wǔ WénměiChinese; born December 17, 1937 - died August 3, 2022) was a highly esteemed Malaysian badminton player who achieved prominence from the 1960s to the early 1970s. His exceptional success in men's and mixed doubles earned him recognition as one of the greatest doubles players in the history of badminton. This article delves into his formative years, illustrious career marked by dominant partnerships with Tan Yee Khan and Punch Gunalan, his major achievements, personal life, and the enduring legacy he left on Malaysian sports and national pride. Ng Boon Bee's contributions played a significant role in elevating Malaysia's standing in international badminton.
2. Early Life and Background
Ng Boon Bee's formative years were characterized by an early introduction to badminton and a natural talent across multiple sports before he ultimately dedicated his efforts to badminton.
2.1. Childhood and Multi-sport Talent
Ng Boon Bee began playing badminton at the age of ten, inspired by his father, who also played the sport. He was the third of five siblings. His initial success in badminton came in 1955 when he secured the Perak schoolboy championship titles in both singles and doubles. The following year, he won the Perak junior title. Beyond badminton, Ng Boon Bee displayed considerable athletic prowess, excelling in various other sports such as athletics, tennis, rugby, and even playing association football at the national level.
2.2. Focus on Badminton
Despite his diverse sporting talents, Ng Boon Bee made the pivotal decision in 1961 to concentrate solely on badminton. This singular focus paved the way for his remarkable career and cemented his status as a badminton legend.
3. Career
Ng Boon Bee's professional badminton career was defined by two highly successful partnerships that brought significant international recognition to Malaysia.
3.1. Partnership with Tan Yee Khan
During the 1960s, Ng Boon Bee formed a formidable men's doubles partnership with Tan Yee Khan. Together, they became one of the most successful men's doubles teams of the decade, capturing many of the sport's most coveted titles. Their victories included the prestigious All England Open, the Asian Games, and the Asian Championships. Ng Boon Bee was known for his quickness, powerful shots, and excellent anticipation on the court. He was also a crucial member of the Malaysian squad that famously won the 1967 Thomas Cup after a controversial 6-3 victory over Indonesia at the Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta. This triumph was a significant moment for Malaysian badminton.
3.2. Partnership with Punch Gunalan
Following Tan Yee Khan's retirement in 1969, Ng Boon Bee established another highly successful partnership, this time with Punch Gunalan. One of their most notable achievements was defeating the strong Indonesian duo of Rudy Hartono and Indra Gunawan in the final of the 1971 All England Open. Their other significant accomplishments included winning gold medals at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games and the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, further solidifying Ng Boon Bee's status as a top-tier doubles player.
4. Major Achievements and Legacy
Ng Boon Bee's prolific career and consistent victories earned him a place among the greatest doubles players in badminton history. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his numerous successes on the international stage brought immense pride to Malaysia. He is remembered not only for his impressive medal haul but also for his dynamic playing style, which showcased a unique blend of speed, power, and strategic foresight. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of Malaysian athletes, highlighting the power of dedication and teamwork in achieving global recognition.
5. Personal Life
Ng Boon Bee was married to Tong Yee Cheng. The couple had two children, a daughter named Gillian and a son named Thomas. His son Thomas was notably named after the prestigious Thomas Cup, a testament to Ng Boon Bee's deep connection to the sport and one of his most significant career victories.
6. Death
Ng Boon Bee passed away on August 3, 2022, at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, Malaysia. The cause of his death was an aneurysm. His passing marked a moment of national mourning for Malaysia, as the country bid farewell to a celebrated athlete and a true legend of the sport.
7. Awards and Honours
Throughout his life and posthumously, Ng Boon Bee received several significant non-sporting accolades and national decorations, recognizing his outstanding contributions to Malaysian sports and national prestige.
- 1968: Ng Boon Bee was named Malaysia's Sportsman of the Year.
- 1972: He was appointed a Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) by the King of Malaysia.
- 1998: Ng Boon Bee was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame, acknowledging his global impact on the sport.
- 2008: He received the title of Dato' upon being appointed a Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja'afar (D.P.T.J.) by the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan.
- 2015: He was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Hall of Fame.
- 2023: Posthumously, he was awarded the title of Datuk when appointed a Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN).
8. Detailed Tournament Records
This section provides a comprehensive overview of Ng Boon Bee's performances and medal achievements in major international badminton tournaments throughout his distinguished career.
8.1. Olympic Games (Demonstration)
Ng Boon Bee participated in the badminton demonstration event at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Olympiapark, Munich, West Germany | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Ade Chandra (Indonesia) Christian Hadinata (Indonesia) | 4-15, 15-2, 11-15 |  Silver |
8.2. Asian Games
Ng Boon Bee achieved remarkable success at the Asian Games, securing multiple gold and bronze medals across various editions.
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Tan Joe Hock (Indonesia) Liem Tjeng Kiang (Indonesia) | 15-13, 18-17 |  Gold |
| 1966 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Ang Tjin Siang (Indonesia) Tjoa Tjong Boan (Indonesia) | 12-15, 15-8, 18-16 | Gold |
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Junji Honma (Japan) Shoichi Toganoo (Japan) | 5-15, 15-8, 15-7 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Sylvia Ng (Malaysia) | Bandid Jaiyen (Thailand) Achara Pattabongs (Thailand) | 18-13, 11-15, 15-10 | Gold |
8.3. Asian Championships
Ng Boon Bee secured multiple gold medals at the Asian Badminton Championships.
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Teh Kew San (Malaysia) Lim Say Hup (Malaysia) | 15-9, 15-10 | Gold |
| 1969 | Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Ippei Kojima (Japan) Yukinori Hori (Japan) | Gold |
8.4. Southeast Asian Peninsular Games
Ng Boon Bee was a dominant force at the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (now known as the SEA Games), accumulating numerous medals.
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Yangon, Myanmar | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Narong Bhornchima (Thailand) Raphi Kanchanaraphi (Thailand) | 15-8, 6-15, 15-10 | Gold |
| 1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Narong Bhornchima (Thailand) Raphi Kanchanaraphi (Thailand) | 15-8, 15-11 | Gold |
| 1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Narong Bhornchima (Thailand) Raphi Kanchanaraphi (Thailand) | Gold | |
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Ng Tat Wai (Malaysia) Ho Khim Kooi (Malaysia) | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Yangon, Myanmar | Ng Mei Ling (Malaysia) | Pankae Phongam (Thailand) Raphi Kanchanaraphi (Thailand) | 18-14, 8-15, 9-15 |  Silver |
| 1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Teh Siew Yong (Malaysia) | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) Rosalind Singha Ang (Malaysia) | 15-11, 15-5 | Gold |
| 1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | Teh Siew Yong (Malaysia) | Chirasak Champakao (Thailand) Sumol Chanklum (Thailand) | 6-15, 10-15 |  Bronze |
| 1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | Rosalind Singha Ang (Malaysia) | Khaw Gaik Bee (Malaysia) Yew Cheng Hoe (Malaysia) | Gold | |
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Rosalind Singha Ang (Malaysia) | Ng Tat Wai (Malaysia) Teh Mei Ling (Malaysia) | Silver |
8.5. Commonwealth Games
Ng Boon Bee was a consistent medal winner at the Commonwealth Games.
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Kingston, Jamaica | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Tan Aik Huang (Malaysia) Yew Cheng Hoe (Malaysia) | 14-15, 5-15 | Silver |
| 1970 | Edinburgh, Scotland | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Ng Tat Wai (Malaysia) Tan Soon Hoi (Malaysia) | 15-3, 15-3 | Gold |
8.6. International Tournaments
Ng Boon Bee achieved numerous victories in other prominent international badminton tournaments, demonstrating his consistent excellence.
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Teh Kew San (Malaysia) Lim Say Hup (Malaysia) | 14-17, 15-9, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1965 | All England | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Erland Kops (Denmark) Oon Chong Jin (Malaysia) | 15-7, 15-5 | Winner |
| 1966 | Denmark Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Tan Aik Huang (Malaysia) Yew Cheng Hoe (Malaysia) | 15-13, 15-10 | Winner |
| 1966 | All England | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Finn Kobberø (Denmark) Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen (Denmark) | 9-15, 15-9, 17-15 | Winner |
| 1966 | Canadian Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Svend Pri (Denmark) Yew Cheng Hoe (Malaysia) | 12-15, 15-1, 17-14 | Winner |
| 1966 | U.S. Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Don Paup (United States) Jim Poole (United States) | 15-6, 15-12 | Winner |
| 1967 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Indratno (Indonesia) Mintarja (Indonesia) | 15-3, 15-8 | Winner |
| 1967 | Denmark Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Svend Pri (Denmark) Per Walsøe (Denmark) | 8-15, 18-16, 17-15 | Winner |
| 1967 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Indratno (Indonesia) Mintarja (Indonesia) | 15-9, 15-10 | Winner |
| 1968 | All England | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Henning Borch (Denmark) Erland Kops (Denmark) | 6-15, 4-15 | Runner-up |
| 1968 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Ippei Kojima (Japan) Issei Nichino (Japan) | 11-15, 15-9, 15-9 | Winner |
| 1968 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Sangob Rattanusorn (Thailand) Chavalert Chumkum (Thailand) | 15-9, 15-1 | Winner |
| 1968 | German Open | Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) | Sangob Rattanusorn (Thailand) Chavalert Chumkum (Thailand) | 15-9, 15-2 | Winner |
| 1969 | U.S. Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Ippei Kojima (Japan) Channarong Ratanaseangsuang (Thailand) | 15-3, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1969 | Singapore Pesta | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Indratno (Indonesia) Mintarja (Indonesia) | 15-5, 15-5 | Winner |
| 1971 | Poona Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Lee Kok Pheng (Malaysia) Lim Shook Kong (Malaysia) | 15-4, 15-5 | Winner |
| 1971 | German Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Roland Maywald (West Germany) Willi Braun (West Germany) | 15-12, 15-8 | Winner |
| 1971 | Denmark Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Rudy Hartono (Indonesia) Indra Gunawan (Indonesia) | 11-15, 15-4, 15-8 | Winner |
| 1971 | All England | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Rudy Hartono (Indonesia) Indra Gunawan (Indonesia) | 15-5, 15-3 | Winner |
| 1971 | Canada Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Raphi Kanchanaraphi (Thailand) Channarong Ratanaseangsuang (Thailand) | 15-10, 15-11 | Winner |
| 1971 | U.S. Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Don Paup (United States) Jim Poole (United States) | 2-15, 18-13, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1972 | Denmark Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Sangob Rattanusorn (Thailand) Bandid Jaiyen (Thailand) | 15-6, 15-6 | Winner |
| 1972 | German Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Derek Talbot (England) Elliot Stuart (England) | 15-9, 15-12 | Winner |
| 1972 | Singapore Open | Punch Gunalan (Malaysia) | Tan Aik Huang (Malaysia) Tan Aik Mong (Malaysia) | 11-15, retired | Runner-up |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Singapore Open | Rosalind Singha Ang (Malaysia) | Darmadi (Indonesia) Minarni (Indonesia) | 4-15, 5-15 | Runner-up |
| 1969 | Canada Open | Retno Koestijah (Indonesia) | Darmadi (Indonesia) Minarni (Indonesia) | 5-15, 15-17 | Runner-up |
| 1970 | Singapore Open | Sylvia Ng (Malaysia) | Chirasak Champakao (Thailand) Pachara Pattabongse (Thailand) | 15-11, 15-12 | Winner |
| 1971 | Poona Open | Sylvia Ng (Malaysia) | Joke van Beusekom (Netherlands) Piet Ridder (Netherlands) | Winner | |
| 1971 | Canada Open | Sylvia Ng (Malaysia) | Rolph Patterson (Canada) Mimi Nilsson (Canada) | 15-11, 15-4 | Winner |
| 1971 | Singapore Open | Sylvia Ng (Malaysia) | Thongkam Kingmanee (Thailand) Bandid Jaiyen (Thailand) | 15-6, 15-9 | Winner |