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
WITH shutters crafted from chicken feathers and makeshift nets strung from fishing lines, Ong Poh Lim began his badminton journey in the green jungles of Sarawak. In the fresh verdancy of the rainforest, Poh Lim played with whatever he could find, joining local Dayak boys with spirited matches that would lay the foundation for his remarkable career. Each flick of the wrist and every triumphant rally echoed with the promise of greatness, marking the down-to-earth beginnings of a future shuttling champion.
Accorded with the honour of the inventor of the infamous “Crocodile Serve”, a devastating weapon in his arsenal, Poh Lim transformed the way the game was played. Described by the press as cavalier and audacious, he was already the Sarawak champion by 1937. His beginning commenced incidentally with the visit of two Singaporean players, whose skill captivated him, igniting an ardent need to excel. It was then he realised that Singapore was his destination.
Born in Kuching in 1923, Poh Lim rose from the rich jungles of Sarawak to become a groundbreaking figure in badminton. His journey, admittedly, was not without its trials. Poh Lim’s first attempt to reach Singapore was tragically cut short by the Japanese invasion during World War II, a devastating setback that postponed his dreams. However, in 1945, as the world began to mend, his aspirations reignited.
Fuelled by determination, he made the difficult decision to part with his cherished stamp collection, a treasure trove he had lovingly curated over the years. This sacrifice was not just a financial necessity; it was evidence of his relentless pursuit of excellence. With every piece of currency he gathered from that sale, Poh Lim ignited the flame of hope within himself, guiding him closer towards Singapore.
Commitment demands sacrifice, with Poh Lim fully aware that it was more than a mere transaction; it was an investment in his future, a leap of faith into the unknown. As he prepared to make the trip to Singapore on his new chapter in life, he went ahead, knowing that the path ahead was fraught with challenges but also glimmering with promise.
Poh Lim’s resolve and dedication finally paid off as he made his mark in the inaugural Thomas Cup finals in 1948, where he played third singles for Malaya’s victory. His illustrious career continued with triumphs at reputable tournaments, including the Singapore Open, Danish Open, French Open, and All England. Thrice he competed in the Thomas Cup (1949, 1952, and 1955), and became a Malayan Open singles champion in 1953 and 1956.
While his name resonated alongside greats such as Wong Peng Soon, Ng Boon Bee, and Eddy Choong, Poh Lim remained the sole Thomas Cupper from Sarawak.
Sarawak welcomed his return in the 1990s, invited by then-Sarawak Minister Datuk Haji Noor Tahir. During a nostalgic gathering with fellow Thomas Cuppers, including the legendary Wong Peng Soon, Poh Lim demonstrated his famed ‘Crocodile Serve’, a flick of such cunning and precision that it left the audience in awe. The name of the serve, bestowed by a British journalist, honoured Poh Lim’s Sarawak roots, known as the land of the crocodiles.
Poh Lim’s legacy endures as the first and only Sarawakian to etch his name in the historical accounts of the Thomas Cup. Even today, no player from Sarawak has matched his extraordinary achievements. The greatest shuttler from the Land of the Hornbill may have embraced Singaporean citizenship, but his heart forever beats to the rhythms of Sarawak.
His journey carried him from the dense greenery of Kuching to the pinnacle of international acclaim. Though Poh Lim passed on in 2003, his impact remains, intricately linked to the journeys of those he influenced, a lasting tribute to his devotion that continues to uplift the hearts of future shuttlers. –DayakDaily
