COURTING GREATNESS

Far from an exhaustive timeline, Tatler takes a retrospective journey through the history and highlights of badminton, celebrating the notable achievements of the men and women who put Malaysia on the map

- Kiran Pillay

1930s

The Malayan Badminton Association, known today as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), was established in 1934. Today, BAM is recognised and affiliated with the world governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), regional governing body, Badminton Asia (BA) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

1940s

1948 In December, the Malayan Thomas Cup badminton team embarked on a 25-day voyage by sea to England to participate in the inaugural Thomas Cup. During their three weeks at sea, they were unable to train properly and resorted to “shadow play” and on-deck exercises whenever the weather permitted. Upon arrival, they faced an extremely cold winter climate.

1949 Malaya beat Denmark to become the first Thomas Cup winners. The Malayan team consisted of Lim Chuan Geok, Ong Poh Lim, Law Teik Hock, Ooi Teik Hock, Yeo Teck Chye, Chan Kon Leong, Teoh Seng Khoon, Wong Peng Soon and Lim Kee Fong. Each member of the Malayan team received a silver-gilt medal from Sir George Thomas, president of the International Badminton Federation (now BWF). According to Teoh, the team was awarded £3 for the win, which did not matter because they were pleased to put the nation on the badminton map, particularly after World War II.

1949 Ooi Teik Hock and Teoh Seng Khoon became the men’s doubles champions in the All England Open Badminton Championships, the world’s oldest badminton tournament, founded in 1899.

1949 Ong Poh Lim pioneered the backhand flick serve, known as the “crocodile serve”, a tactic that he performed with an unconscious wiggle of the posterior, described by Lim himself as “a little like Marilyn Monroe.” The serve technique remains in wide use today.

1950s