KUALA LUMPUR — “No one could match the power and precision of his smash,” says former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) high-performance director Datuk James Selvaraj, remembering Datuk Tan Yee Khan as one of the fiercest players in badminton history.
Steep, lightning-fast, and almost impossible to return, Yee Khan’s smash became his signature weapon and cemented his status as a global icon of the sport.
The Malaysian legend and former Thomas Cup winner passed away peacefully in his sleep today at the age of 86, his son Kenneth Tan confirmed.
“On court, he was unstoppable,” James told Scoop.
“He knew exactly where to position himself, and his timing was perfect. Watching him play was a joy, and he inspired generations of Malaysian players.”
Yee Khan made his mark in international badminton during the 1960s, forming a legendary doubles partnership with the late Ng Boon Bee.
Together, they helped Malaysia win the Thomas Cup in Jakarta in 1967, and captured back-to-back All England titles in 1965 and 1966.
Their dominance extended to the Asian Games, winning gold in Jakarta in 1962 and Bangkok in 1966, as well as the SEA Games, where they collected three gold medals between 1961 and 1967.
James, who had a close working relationship with Yee Khan and later assisted in coaching Malaysia’s legendary Sidek brothers, Razif and Jalani, spoke about Yee Khan’s meticulous approach to the game and the lasting influence he had on Malaysian badminton.
“He was meticulous in planning his matches, and his smash left opponents with almost no chance. He played a major role in shaping Malaysian badminton, influencing even players like Razif and Jalani, whom I helped coach to the All England title in 1982 under his guidance,” James said.
Despite stepping away from competitive badminton in 1969 due to chronic back problems, Yee Khan remained active in sports and later found success as an amateur golfer.
His contributions to badminton were recognised internationally when he was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.
“His passing is a huge loss for Malaysian sport,” James added.
“He demanded excellence from his players. Some thrived under his intensity, others could not, but those who did became champions. He had an extraordinary ability to make players better.”
Yee Khan’s wake will be held at the Vcare Memorial Centre in Ipoh, with cremation rites scheduled at the Papan Memorial Park Crematorium on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) also paid tribute to the legend.
In a statement, BAM said it was deeply saddened by the passing of Yee Khan, highlighting his role in the historic 1967 Thomas Cup victory and his dominant partnership with Boon Bee.
The association praised his contributions to Malaysian badminton and said his achievements will continue to inspire future generations. — January 26, 2026
The post Fearless and unstoppable: remembering badminton legend Tan Yee Khan appeared first on Scoop.