Dato' Ng Boon Bee DPTJ AMN (Chinese: 伍文美; pinyin: Wǔ Wénměi; 17 December 1937 – 3 August 2022) was a Malaysian badminton 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.[1]
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, rugby, and playing association football at the national level. It was some time in 1961 that he finally decided to concentrate on badminton.[2]
Career
During the 1960s, Ng and his partner, Tan Yee Khan 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 and Asian Championships.[3] Known for his quickness, power, and anticipation, Ng was a member of the Malaysian squad that won the 1967 Thomas Cup, in a 6–3 controversial victory over Indonesia at the Istora Senayan Stadium.[4]
After Yee Khan retired in 1969, Ng formed a successful partnership with Punch Gunalan. One of their biggest achievements was beating Indonesia's combination of Rudy Hartono/Indra Gunawan in the 1971 All-England final. There were other accomplishments too, including winning the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games and 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.[5]
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.[6]
Death
On 3 August 2022, Ng died at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital due to aneurysm.[2]
Awards
- 1968 Malaysia's Sportsman of the Year[7]
- He was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.[8]
- Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Hall of Fame 2015.[9]
Achievements
Olympic Games (demonstration)
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972 | Olympiapark, Munich, West Germany | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–15, 15–2, 11–15 | ![]() |
Asian Games
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–13, 18–17 | ![]() |
1966 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
12–15, 15–8, 18–16 | ![]() |
1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
5–15, 15–8, 15–7 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
18–13, 11–15, 15–10 | ![]() |
Asian Championships
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–9, 15–10 | ![]() |
1969 | Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Southeast Asian Peninsular Games
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Yangon, Myanmar | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–8, 6–15, 15–10 | ![]() |
1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–8, 15–11 | ![]() |
1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() | |
1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Yangon, Myanmar | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
18–14, 8–15, 9–15 | ![]() |
1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–11, 15–5 | ![]() |
1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–15, 10–15 | ![]() |
1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() | |
1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Commonwealth Games
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Kingston, Jamaica | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–15, 5–15 | ![]() |
1970 | Edinburgh, Scotland | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–3, 15–3 | ![]() |
International tournaments
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–17, 15–9, 15–7 | ![]() |
1965 | All England | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–7, 15–5 | ![]() |
1966 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–13, 15–10 | ![]() |
1966 | All England | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
9–15, 15–9, 17–15 | ![]() |
1966 | Canadian Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
12–15, 15–1, 17–14 | ![]() |
1966 | U.S. Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–6, 15–12 | ![]() |
1967 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–3, 15–8 | ![]() |
1967 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
8–15, 18–16, 17–15 | ![]() |
1967 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–9, 15–10 | ![]() |
1968 | All England | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–15, 4–15 | ![]() |
1968 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
11–15, 15–9, 15–9 | ![]() |
1968 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–9, 15–1 | ![]() |
1968 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–9, 15–2 | ![]() |
1969 | U.S. Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–3, 15–7 | ![]() |
1969 | Singapore Pesta | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–5, 15–5 | ![]() |
1971 | Poona Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–4, 15–5 | ![]() |
1971 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–12, 15–8 | ![]() |
1971 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
11–15, 15–4, 15–8 | ![]() |
1971 | All England | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–5, 15–3 | ![]() |
1971 | Canada Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–10, 15–11 | ![]() |
1971 | U.S. Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
2–15, 18–13, 15–7 | ![]() |
1972 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–6, 15–6 | ![]() |
1972 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–9, 15–12 | ![]() |
1972 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
11–15, retired | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1967 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–15, 5–15 | ![]() |
1969 | Canada Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
5–15, 15–17 | ![]() |
1970 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–11, 15–12 | ![]() |
1971 | Poona Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() | |
1971 | Canada Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–11, 15–4 | ![]() |
1971 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–6, 15–9 | ![]() |
Honours
Malaysia :
Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) (1972)[10]
Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2023)[11]
Negeri Sembilan :
Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja’afar (D.P.T.J.) – Dato' (2008)[12]
References
- ^ Pat Davis,The Guinness Book of Badminton (Enfield, Middlesex, England: Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 1983) 107.
- ^ a b Noorshahrizam, Shahrin Aizat (3 August 2022). "Malaysian Thomas Cup legend Ng Boon Bee dies aged 84". Malay Mail. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ "Yee Khan: Good understanding the key to our success – Other Sports | The Star Online". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ Herbert Scheele ed., The International Badminton Federation Handbook for 1971 (Canterbury, Kent, England: J.A. Jennings Ltd., 1971) 78, 84.
- ^ "Other Sport: Boon Bee recalls the joy of his partnership with Punch | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Malaysian Sports' Loose Cannon: Datuk Boon Bee, finally". rizalhashim.blogspot.my. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ "» Anugerah Sukan Negara Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia | National Sports Council of Malaysia". www.nsc.gov.my. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ "BWF Hall of fame members".
- ^ "Thomas Cup teams among new inductees into OCM Hall of Fame – Badminton | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat".
- ^ "Thomas Cup 1967 winners honoured with 'Panglima Jasa Negara' award carrying 'Datuk' title". Malay Mail. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023 – via The Borneo Post.
- ^ "Former doubles ace Boon Bee receives Datukship". The Star. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2016.