Basketball great See Wah passes away at 85
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia lost a basketball icon with the passing of Tan See Wah, the only coach in the country with nine SEA Games gold medals. See Wah, who passed away on Tuesday at 85, served as deputy secretary-general of Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) for 16 years before being appointed secretary-general from 2008 to 2010. His tenure marked a critical period of consolidation and growth. Notably, he played a key role in securing continued corporate support, successfully negotiating with Petronas – Maba's Rakan Sukan since 1995 – to renew their partnership for another five years before the original agreement expired in 2010.
See Wah is also a former national player himself from 1965 to 1969 but it is in coaching where he became one of the most accomplished names in South-East Asian women's basketball. He began coaching the Pahang women's team in 1973, leading them to national titles from 1973 to 1975 and again in 1989. Then he moved on to the national team set-up, serving as the assistant coach of the Malaysia women's national basketball team during their historic run of five consecutive SEA Games gold medals between 1977 and 1985. As head coach, he led the team to another glorious four consecutive SEA Games golds from 1997 to 2007 – thus making him perhaps the only coach of a national team sport to have won nine SEA Games gold medals.
Under his leadership, Malaysia's women's team also qualified for the eighth World Championship for women in 1979, making the cut with a fourth place finish at the 1978 Asian Basketball Championship in Kuala Lumpur. At the world meet in Seoul, the team achieved a proud victory over Senegal, the South Africa champion, finishing 11th out of 12.
Outside basketball, coach See Wah was a dedicated educator. He taught Mathematics, Science and English in schools across Terengganu and Pahang from 1964 to 1995, shaping not only athletes but also young minds and character. His coaching philosophy and methods earned him recognition beyond Malaysia. He was frequently invited by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) to conduct coaching clinics abroad, including at the National Coaches Conference in Ireland in 2004. He was also the first Malaysian coach to publish a book on basketball tactics and coaching philosophies, contributing to the sport's development beyond national borders. Maba president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock paid tribute, saying See Wah's life was a testament to unwavering dedication, humility and excellence. "He not only raised champions on the court but also shaped generations of athletes, educators and leaders through his work in basketball and education. "His spirit, wisdom and legacy will remain forever in the heart of Malaysian basketball," he said.
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