KUALA LUMPUR: The 1975 World Cup squad remained the defining chapter of Wong Choon Hin’s life until his final days, with his family sharing that he never stopped speaking with pride about the team that shaped his closest lifelong friendships and career.
Choon Hin, a double Olympian from Melaka, died on Wednesday at the age of 75 following a lung infection. He was a vital part of the legendary 1975 squad that achieved the national team’s best-ever finish, coming in fourth place.
A formidable centre half, Choon Hin captained the national team from 1976-77 and earned 80 caps for Malaysia. He competed in two Olympic Games (Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976) and two World Cups (Amstelveen 1973 and Kuala Lumpur 1975).
His honours included being named Selangor Sportsman of the Year in 1976 and induction into the Olympic Council of Malaysia Hall of Fame in 2004. He also participated in two Asian Games, notably winning a bronze medal in Tehran in 1974.
Choon Hin last met his teammates during the Sports Flame gathering in May, held to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1975 World Cup team alongside the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
His eldest daughter, Wong Liang Jin, said the reunion meant everything to him, and despite his frail condition, there was no hesitation when asked if he wanted to attend.
“That morning I told him we are going for the event. I said don’t worry, we will bring you there. He said yes,” she said.
She said the 1975 team remained central to his life long after he stopped playing, and she grew up proud of her father’s achievements, knowing from a young age that she was the daughter of a double Olympian.
“The ’75 team meant a lot to him. He always spoke about the 75… his teammates… his achievement. He was very proud of his team,” she said.
“It means a lot to me because not everybody has the chance to have a father who played for Malaysia. I am very proud of him.”
Choon Hin was a strong believer that the 1975 squad set the benchmark for Malaysian hockey. The family said he often spoke about how that generation raised standards, pushed boundaries and inspired future national teams to believe they could compete with the world’s best.
His wife, Sia Eng, said the bond among the 1975 squad was like a second family for her husband, one that endured for nearly five decades.
“The whole team, I can say that they really come together as one. They are a family… a very big family where they take care of each other like their own,” she said.
His closest friendships were with former teammates Datuk Seri N. Sri Shanmuganathan and K. Balasingam, whom the family described as “very close to him”, with Bala having been his roommate during their playing days.
“He’s a very friendly guy. He’s really a joker, not only to friends but also to family. You can hear his laughter even before you see him,” said Sia Eng.
Choon Hin met his wife during the 1975 World Cup when she was carrying the India team’s flag and was encouraged by Bala to approach her.
Sia Eng’s independence enabled Choon Hin to focus on his hockey career as she raised their daughters, Liang Jin and Liang Fang.
He discouraged his daughters from taking up hockey in school because he feared they might get injured, and they picked badminton and tennis instead, playing the “less dangerous” sports together as a family.
For the family, the May gathering proved to be the last full reunion of the 1975 squad that meant so much to him.
“It was a very big event where he needed to be there. We are glad we made it,” said Liang Jin.
A wake is being held at Nirvana 2, 16, Jalan Dewan Bahasa, Bukit Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, from Nov 27-28. The funeral service will be held from 10.30am-11.30am on Saturday (Nov 29) at the same venue.
The cortege leaves for cremation at the Nirvana Crematorium in Shah Alam at 12pm.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
