1966 Commonwealth Games’ athletics manager recalls the glorious past

The Malaysian contingent comprising athletes and officials at Subang Airport prior to their departure to Jamaica. Malacca's Chin Yik Keun (standing front row, fifth from left) was appointed as the national athletics team manager.

MALACCA: With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games around the corner, Malacca’s 85-year-old retired primary school headmaster Chin Yik Keun vividly remembers Malaysia’s glory days and memories of the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Chin was then the appointed manager of the five-member athletics team comprising Dr. Mani Jegathesan, R. Subramaniam, M. Rajamony, Dilbagh Singh Kler and Nashatar Singh.

He recalled that the athletics events were run on a grass track - similar to that of a local school field that holds its own athletic meets, complete with bald patches, grass-barren areas and all.

On the achievements of the national track and field athletes, Chin proudly said: “Our chaps and lone gal did fairly well, considering they we up against formidable athletes from Canada, Britain, New Zealand and Australia, who invariably dominated the medal quest.

“Dr. Jegathesan was the most impressive of the lot. He qualified for the semi-finals of the 110 and 220 yards (100 and 200 metres) in personal best times, but failed to make the finals.

Chin posing with his one and only souvenir from Jamaica - a bronze commemorative medal.

“Nashatar made it to the javelin finals and took sixth placing. Subramaniam finished 10th out of 16 runners in the one-mile (1.6km) final.

“Dilbagh finished 15th in the three-mile (4.8km) event while Rajamony, the only female athlete in our team, made the 440 yards (400m) final and finished eighth.”

Chin, the secretary of the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union from 1963 to 1972, also noted with pride that the defining moments of Malaysia’s participation at the Kingston Games was in badminton, which was introduced as a medal sport for the very first time since the Games’ inception in 1930.

Tan Aik Huang defeated Yew Cheng Hoe 15-8; 15-8 for the singles gold.

They teamed up to upset the then defending All England Champions Tan Yee Khan and Ng Boon Bee 15-8; 15-5 in the doubles final.

Seasoned stalwarts Teoh Siew Yong and Rosalind Singha Ang captured the women’s doubles bronze to give Malaysia a final haul of two golds, two silvers and one bronze from the Games.

Incidentally, the national badminton team was also managed by another Malacca Badminton Association official, the late Charlie Seow, who was also a very good friend of Chin from their school days.

“Malaysia also competed in other sports such as swimming, weightlifting and shooting. Chin admitted that at best, we were tagged as ‘also-rans’.

A close- up of the 1966 Jamaica commemorative medal.

“Again the superiority of the British, Canadians and Australians put paid to hopes of getting past the preliminary rounds, but the experience garnered will always be something to be cherished,” said Chin, who was also the Malacca Amateur Athletics Association secretary from 1962 to 1969.

Another aspect that still lingers in Chin’s memories was the absence of the Games’ official magazine, programme or booklet.

Chin, an avid collector of memorabilia from international and national meets, said: “All officials and athletes were only given a bronze commemorative medal. That’s the only keepsake souvenir I have from the Kingston Games.

“Mind you, even the events and fixture listings for the various sports and games competed, as well as the officials’ results, were given to the respective team officials as photocopies.

“There was also no official name or identification tags, but we were each given an official pass for entry to the various venues.

“On top of that, there were no security officials when we were moving into official venues. All entry points were manned by the respective games’ officials and volunteers.”

Chin also clarified that the official name of the multi-sport games of the Commonwealth over the years were subject to changes no less than four times.

It was first known as British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, with the inaugural host being Hamilton in Canada.

The second name change came in 1954 when it was then known as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, with the host being Vancouver in Canada.

The name was then changed to the British Commonwealth Games in 1970, which was hosted by Edinburgh in Scotland. Finally, it became known just as the Commonwealth Games from 1978 onwards with Edmonton, Canada, as the host.

Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

Upon reflection of the present national sports scene, Chin said it was sad that there was generally a lack of love for the game or sport and noted that players these days were a pampered lot.

“Unless budding players and athletes can honestly ask themselves what they can positively contribute to their respective sport or game and not vice versa, there is little hope, particularly for Malaysian hockey and football players to salvage lost international pride.

“It is somewhat puzzling that, despite the generous incentives and rewards given out in both in cash and kind, our standards are dropping.

“Unlike those sportsmen of yesteryears, very few of the current lot can call themselves hardcore lovers of the game.

“Unless the relevant authorities and associations can check and be honest with themselves, and not simply give in to the players’ whims and fancies, our standards at regional, continental and international levels will be just mediocre or average at best,” Chin concluded with a heavy sigh.