Malaysia Legend Punch Gunalan Passed Away

**jasonmarc** · 08-15-2012, 05:52 AM

RIP Dato Punch.............

**mb111** · 08-15-2012, 05:52 AM

Like many of you contributors out there, I am sorry and saddened to hear this news.
My deepest condolences to his family.

A true Badminton legend, figther, admininstrator and last but not least, player deep in his heart.

For Gallery of yesteryears:
http://gallery.thestar.com.my/default.asp?id=2486

RIP Mr. Badminton Ambassador. You will be missed greatly.

**drquick** · 08-15-2012, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by mb111

Like many of you contributors out there, I am sorry and saddened to hear this news.
My deepest condolences to his family.

A true Badminton legend, figther, admininstrator and last but not least, player deep in his heart.

For Gallery of yesteryears:
http://gallery.thestar.com.my/default.asp?id=2486

RIP Mr. Badminton Ambassador. You will be missed greatly.

Nice picture from the past there

Looks like Dato Punch had a good relationship with Rudi Hartono. Similar with TH and LCW today. Good sportmanship. Enemy inside the field but friends outside.

**Dato A** · 08-15-2012, 07:10 AM

Heroes never dies, they turn into legends

RIP Datuk Punch Gunalan.

**FEND.** · 08-15-2012, 07:30 AM

Ever the gentleman. Was an honour and privilege to be in your company. Rest well, my friend.

**AlanY** · 08-15-2012, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Blurry D

He inspired many, I was one of them. I will always remember his 1992 victorious win. He gave is life for badminton..

don't know much about this guy, are you sure its 1992?
He must be in his 40s then.

**flite** · 08-15-2012, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by AlanY

don't know much about this guy, are you sure its 1992?
He must be in his 40s then.

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.

**racquetor** · 08-15-2012, 12:48 PM

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.

***cobalt*** · 08-15-2012, 02:42 PM

RIP a legend and a good human being. The memories will endure, as will his legacy.

***cobalt*** · 08-15-2012, 07:23 PM

Hartono remembers Malaysian great as an uncompromising competitor

By RAJES PAUL
http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.a...778&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.

**Blurry D** · 08-15-2012, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by AlanY

don't know much about this guy, are you sure its 1992?
He must be in his 40s then.

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.

**mb111** · 08-16-2012, 04:18 AM

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.

**Blurry D** · 08-16-2012, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by mb111

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.

**undeadshot** · 08-16-2012, 06:00 AM

RIP Datuk Punch Gunalan...

**mb111** · 08-16-2012, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Blurry D

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...rator-1.125631

**John JY Wong** · 08-16-2012, 11:11 PM

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.

**mb111** · 08-17-2012, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by John JY Wong

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)