Malaysian footballer Chow Kwai Lam passes away aged 76

Chow Kwai Lam. -Star filepic

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian football legend Chow Kwai Lam has passed away at the age of 76 on Monday (July 16).

The decorated Selangor player, who had previously survived three strokes in 1995, 2000 and 2013, died at Hospital Ampang at 11am.

Chow was among the biggest names in Malaysian football having represented the national team from 1965 to 1971, and was the captain of the 1965 Merdeka Tournament squad.

He also coached the national team in 1978 before coaching Selangor from 1979 to 1983. He then moved to coach Sarawak in 1984, and Kuala Lumpur in three stints - 1987 to 1989, 1992, and 1995-1998.

He had also coached the national Under-23 team nicknamed the Barcelona Babes from 1990-1991.

Chow also coached in the Singapore League with Tampines Rovers from 2002-2003 and Paya Lebar Punggol from 2004-2005.

His most successful stint in the M-League was when he helped Kuala Lumpur win a Malaysia Cup hat-trick in 1987, 1988 and 1989.