This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
AS Luk Teck Eng takes on her role as regional manager in Kuala Lumpur, overseeing numerous bank branches, she sometimes recalls a different arena—one filled with sand, cheers, and the thrill of volleyball. This sport, once her whole world, ultimately shaped her journey to success far beyond the court.
Born in 1979 in Bintangor, Sarawak, Teck Eng’s story began far from her current professional life. Growing up as one of three sisters, she found her passion for sports early. Together with her younger sister, Luk Teck Hua, she achieved a remarkable feat: they became the first siblings to represent Malaysia in beach volleyball at the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. For Teck Eng, this was a notable milestone, yet her journey had always been about more than just titles.
Her love for volleyball began in Kai Chung secondary school. The sport became a means to push against the limitations of her small-town life. Yet, this path demanded sacrifices. Teck Eng spent two gruelling years in China, dedicating herself to rigorous training where daily intense focus and perseverance were required. She saw teammates leave careers behind for the chance to represent Malaysia, a dream that soon became her own. At only 16, she joined the national indoor volleyball team, competing at the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Reflecting on those formative years, Teck Eng remarked, “We trained in China to prepare for the SEA Games, and I also took it as professional training for the future ahead.”
Volleyball instilled a strong foundation of resilience, dedication, and endurance—qualities that would serve her well in her later career.
But Teck Eng’s ambitions did not stop with indoor volleyball. After years of success, she felt drawn to a different challenge: beach volleyball. The transition wasn’t simply a venue change; it was a transformation in her approach to the game. Moving from the structured court to the unpredictable beach demanded even greater focus, strategy, and an adaptive mindset.
In 2004, Teck Eng broke new ground as the first Sarawakian to compete internationally in beach volleyball, pairing with Beh Shun Thing at the SEA Games in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Standing at 1.73 metres, Teck Eng’s height became a defining feature of her playing style. After she retired from competitive volleyball in 2006, her impact on Malaysian sports remained. Coaches and former teammates valued her unique skill set and strategic acumen, and in 2015, her coach Lim Poh Liang called upon her to return to the national team. Nearly a decade after leaving the game, she was invited back to help the team at the SEA Games in Singapore—a testament to her legacy and irreplaceable role in Malaysian volleyball.
Throughout her career, Teck Eng competed in four SEA Games—2001, 2004, 2005, and her comeback in 2015. She also won gold medals in Southeast Asian tournaments in Vietnam (2000) and Indonesia (2004), though she didn’t claim medals in the SEA Games. Nevertheless, her contributions left a lasting mark, and her journey through these tournaments became a series of defining moments, shaping her with each challenge.
Teck Eng’s ability to transform setbacks into growth proved invaluable as she transitioned to a new career. After stepping away from competitive sports, she entered the banking industry, working her way up to regional manager. The qualities she had honed in volleyball—resilience, teamwork, and focus—found a natural place in her leadership role in banking.
The parallels between her athletic and corporate journeys are striking. Just as she once led her volleyball team, she now leads teams in the corporate world. The discipline, strategy, and commitment she demonstrated on the court translated seamlessly into her approach to management and leadership.
“My journey in volleyball was truly a stepping stone to what life has given me,” Teck Eng reflected.
She recognises that while volleyball no longer defines her, it remains an integral part of her story, instilling a spirit of tenacity and resilience that endures. Her journey has always been about defying expectations, overcoming obstacles, and challenging limitations.
Now, as Teck Eng moves forward, she continues to build her legacy not only in sports but also in leadership. Her story stands as a testament to the heights one can reach with unwavering passion and dedication, both on and off the court. –DayakDaily
