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
IN the 1960s and 1970s, St. Mary’s School in Kuching had a tradition of nurturing some of Sarawak’s finest athletes, and Lee Nyuk Moi was among them. Her natural athletic talent and determination helped her rise through the ranks, eventually earning her a place on the national stage.
Nyuk Moi’s ability on the track led her to compete in the relay quartet for Sarawak at the the Malaysian Games. Alongside Chong Mei Ling (now known as Latifah Chong), she became one of the two great quarter-milers Sarawak had ever produced. The duo was known for their speed and endurance, a force to be reckoned with in the 400m and 800m events at both State and international levels.
Nyuk Moi’s journey into athletics began when she was just 13 years old, spurred on by a teacher who encouraged her to join school sports in 1961. Although she also played netball, it was the pull of athletics that truly captured her heart. From the beginning, Nyuk Moi displayed versatility, competing in a wide range of events from the 200m to the 1,500m, but it was in the 400m and 800m that she eventually found her calling.
“There was great interest in sports during our time,” Nyuk Moi recalled. “Even though we had to buy our own spiked shoes and sports equipment, it didn’t deter us. We trained every day because sports was our passion and, in a way, our entertainment.”
This passion drove her to train relentlessly, honing her speed and endurance until she was counted among the best athletes in Sarawak.
“We belonged to a time when there was very little entertainment,” Nyuk Moi shared, reflecting on the era. “For us, sports was our entertainment. We lived and breathed athletics.” She fondly recalled the camaraderie of competing alongside Latifah, particularly in the Malayan Games where the two formed a dynamic duo. “Sarawak had two of the best women quarter-milers at the time,” she said with pride.
Nyuk Moi credited her success to the dedication of her coaches, Chan Pak Weng and Sim Bak Seng, who helped shape her into the athlete she became. Under their guidance, she not only became a key member of the State team but also held the 400m State record for several years. Her rivalry with Latifah in the 800m was a friendly one, pushing both women to reach new heights in their sport.
Nyuk Moi dominated the Sarawak Amateur Athletics Association (SAAA) Championships from 1964 to 1969, winning the 200m, 400m, 800m titles in both 1968 and 1969. She too represented Sarawak in the Borneo Games in 200m, 400m, 800m and relays from 1964 to 1969. She was only 16 years-old when she competed in her first Borneo Games, a feat that speaks to her extraordinary talent at such a young age.
Nyuk Moi’s most significant international outings were the SEAP Games in Bangkok in 1967 and Rangoon in 1969. In Bangkok, she captured a bronze medal in the 400m, a highlight of her career. Unfortunately, by the time the 1969 SEAP Games came around, an ankle injury kept her out of medal contention. Despite this, she carried the experience of these games with pride, knowing she had given her best.
In 1970, Nyuk Moi retired from competitive athletics and began a new chapter in her life. She married and worked as a teacher, and later as Senior Assistant at St Mary’s Primary School, a role she held until her retirement in 2003. Nyuk Moi was later re-employed as a contract teacher and taught in St Joseph’s Primary School from 2004 to 2006.
Her love for sports, however, never faded. Nyuk Moi returned to the track as a chaperone for Sarawak’s school athletes, accompanying them to competitions under the Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) banner. Even after stepping away from competition, she remained connected to the world of athletics, passing on her knowledge and passion to the younger generation.
Nyuk Moi’s life is now filled with family – she is blessed with a son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. To keep fit, she practises tai chi and enjoys jogging at Friendship Park on Jalan Song. The discipline she cultivated during her time as an athlete still runs through her daily routine, a testament to her lifelong dedication to physical fitness.
Nyuk Moi’s journey from a young schoolgirl encouraged to run by her teacher to becoming one of Sarawak’s greatest quarter-milers is one of passion, perseverance, and pride. Through her, and athletes like her, a sporting tradition was forged, one that continues to inspire generations today. –DayakDaily
