KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 -- Former national badminton great Tan Aik Mong died, believed to be due to liver cancer, at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya, near here at 3.30 pm today. He was 70.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) presiden, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria in a statement issued tonight said the national body is deeply saddened over the passing of the Aik Mong who had made an immense contribution to Malaysian badminton during his glory days in the 1960s and 70s.
“BAM wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the late Tan Aik Mong over the passing of someone who has done so much for BAM and Malaysian badminton. He will be missed dearly by the badminton fraternity,” he said.
"The thoughts of everyone at BAM are with Aik Mong's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time," Mohamad Norza added.
Aik Mong, the younger brother of another Malaysian badminton great, Tan Aik Huang, the All-England men's singles champion in 1966, donned national colors from 1966-1975.
He helped Malaysia to finish as runners-up in the 1970 Thomas Cup which was held in Kuala Lumpur, besides winning two silver medals in the 1973 SEAP Games (currently known as SEA Games) in Singapore.
The late Aik Mong's biggest achievement was securing the gold medal in the men's singles event at the 1971 Asian Badminton Championships in Jakarta.
The Penang-born had also held various post with BAM, including as its Talent Management Group director back in 2013.
-- BERNAMA
