That's always been the case for the ignorant ones. His infos are all in the provided link. Anyway with some common sense one could figure out what role a man in his 40s would play then.
Datuk Punch was diagnosed with liver cancer stage 4 in April. His passing surprised many as not many know he was battling with cancer. Many officials and former players paid their last respect today including DLCW. RIP Datuk Punch.... U will be deeply missed.
Hartono remembers Malaysian great as an uncompromising competitor By RAJES PAUL http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/8/16/sports/11865778&sec=sports Some excerpts: “I’m truly very sad that he has passed away so soon. I have lost a friend,” said Rudy when contacted in Jakarta. ...“As a friend, he was true and dependable. He was also a great motivator. What drove him was his passion for the game.. “He was an excellent administrator. I don’t know where he got all his ideas but he always came up with something new. I often came away mesmerised by his brilliance after each discussion. “He was the brains behind the change of format in badminton that has made it such a success and one of the most watched sports on television. Of course, there were a few who resisted his ideas but he got his way because his arguments were always sound.” Hartono hailed Punch as a perfect role model for sports administrators. “He was a success because he knew his sport. Hopefully, his talent has been tapped by others,” said Hartono.
He was pivotal in 1992 win for thomas cup. No he was not a player... but many who remember that victory recalls that. I dont know about his feats as player cause i wasnt born yet.. but vividly remembers as a great coach and administrator.
Blurry D is right. Punch Gunalan played the role of chief coach and team manager in helping Malaysia regain the Thomas Cup after a lapse of 25 years. Moreover, he was also instrumental in bringing in 3 Chinese foreign coaches to help strengthened the Malaysian team.
Yea Yang Yang, han jian and someone else i cannot remember.. he was also the one together with morten forst that picked LCW as one of the inductees for BJSS.
The other Chinese coach is Chen Changjie. "Razif pointed out that it was Gunalan's strategy and vision to recruit China's coaches -- Han Jian, Yang Yang and Chen Changjie -- that culminated in Malaysia's Thomas Cup success." Source: http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/brilliant-strategist-administrator-1.125631
My best memory of him is seeing him celebrate the 3-2 win vs China in the 1992 Thomas Cup semi-final. RIP Punch Gunalan.
Yep, at that moment, he leaped in the air with amazing joy and immediately rushed into the court along with others to hug and celebrate Cheah Soon Kit & Soo Beng Kiang win over Ricky Subagja & Rexy Mainaky (15–12, 10–15, 15–8)
The Late Datuk Punch was a player, administrator...his contribution to the sport for Malaysia and the world cannot be overstated. Rest in Peace
What to do before you 'leave' Women, what is the first thing you grab if your house is on fire? Children? Lipstick? Men, what is the thing you wish to do before you 'clock out'? Well, for Punch Gunalan, it was to watch his last glimpse of LCW vs LD Olympics final. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/8/16/nation/11867667&sec=nation I'm just only finding out now that his name 'Punch' sticked to his name after he beat Tan Aik Huang, supposedly a giant killer in his heydays. Unfortunately I never had the golden opportunities to really view their playing styles like Eddy Choong, Teh Kiew San, Ng Boon Bee and the likes. Videos then were so dark and black and white. Not suitable for keen learners. I saw Boon Bee while having bak kut teh last week.
'thats my father, badminton always brought him joy' ...Dr Roshan (Punch Gunalan's son).. thats it right there.. thats how i want to go when my time comes also...