Ng Boon Bee

He started to play badminton when he was 10 years inspired by his badminton-playing father. 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 football (soccer) at the national level. It was some time in 1961 that he finally decided to concentrate on badminton.

During the 1960s, Boon Bee 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.[2] Known for his quickness, power, and anticipation, Boon Bee 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.[3]

After Yee Khan retired in 1969, Boon Bee 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.[4]

• 1968 Malaysia's Sportsman of the Year[5]
• He was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.[6]
• Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Hall of Fame 2015.[7]

•  Malaysia :
  • Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) (1972)[8]
•  Negeri Sembilan :
  • Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja’afar (D.P.T.J.) - Dato' (2008)[9]

Boon Bee is the third child from five siblings. He married to Tong Yee Cheng. Together they had 2 children - Gillian and Thomas. Thomas was named after the prestigious Thomas Cup.[10]