Late basketball icon Choo Hock’s contributions deserve Hall of Fame recognition

Flashback: Datuk Yeoh Choo Hock (centre) with Maba president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock (right) and OCM president Tan Sri Mohd Norza Zakaria.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Yeoh Choo Hock’s passing is a huge loss to the Malaysian basketball fraternity.

Tributes poured in for Choo Hock who passed away peacefully at the age of 80 yesterday in his home in Putra Heights.

He contributed significantly to the sport for over 30 years and will be remembered as the man who mobilised the growth of the sport at different levels in the country.

Malaysian Basketball Association’s (MABA) president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock said Choo Hock was the heartbeat of Malaysian basketball.

“Choo Hock’s contribution to Malaysian basketball was tremendous as MABA secretary-general and vice-president,” said Tian Hock.

“He has been a Malaysian basketball icon for over 30 years and we are very sad over his passing.”

Choo Hock held the position of secretary-general of MABA for 17 years (1990-2007) and was vice-president for two years (2008-2009).

He was also secretary general of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) from 1994 to 2006 and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia from 1998 to 2012 and has been honoured with the title of Secretary General Emeritus of FIBA Asia since 2012.

He also held the position of FIBA vice-president from 2003 to 2006.

Choo Hock further contributed to the sport globally when he served as a FIBA Commissioner at four Olympic Games and several FIBA World Championships.

His efforts were also recognised with numerous awards, including the 1997 Best CEO Award by the USA Basketball Association and the 2001 John Wooden Lifetime Service Award.

Choo Hock was nominated to be inducted in the FIBA Hall of Fame last month.

Tian Hock was sad that Choo Hock could not live on to see himself inducted but was confident that he will be honoured.

“Last month, we proposed him to be inducted in the Hall of Fame but unfortunately he passed away,” said Tian Hock.

“We will inform FIBA of his passing and the committee will still deliberate on his induction.

“We hope they will induct him for his contributions. I’m very sad that he could not live on to see his name being inducted. I’m very confident FIBA will consider favourably.”