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 a world where the basketball hoop loomed like a distant star, just out of reach, young Yip Pau Cheng felt the weight of her petite stature pressing upon her dreams. Each stride she took on the vast expanse of the court seemed swallowed by the enormity of the game, her heart racing to catch up with aspirations that felt forever beyond her grasp.
But with one door closing, another opportunity opened. Born in 1958, Pau Cheng first picked up the paddle at just 10 years old. Table tennis surfaced as a sanctuary—a realm where Pau Cheng’s height was not a limitation but a unique asset, where the swift dance of her hands could create magic with every agile flick of her wrist. It was in table tennis that her small frame became a vessel for boundless ambition, granting her the opportunity to chase ambitions that seemed unreachable. With a paddle in hand, the world itself became hers to conquer.
At only 14-years-old, Pau Cheng had already toured the globe—Asia, Latin America, Africa, and even North Korea—places which few could ever think of visiting. From 1973 to 1981, she represented Malaysia on the international stage, travelling to Japan, China, the former Yugoslavia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. She wasn’t just playing a game; she was living a dream that spanned continents, cultures, and people.
Pau Cheng became one of Sarawak’s brightest stars, a prodigy who, despite her smallness, reached heights that no one had expected.
She vividly recalled the moment she returned from the Africa-Asia-Latin American Championships in 1973, just 15 years old, cradling her bronze medal. The rousing welcome that greeted her felt surreal as if she had stepped into a scene from a reverie. Surrounded by photographers and cheering supporters, she felt like a film star, the flashes of cameras capturing not just her triumph, but the pride and joy that filled the air.
“I brought home a bronze medal and was greeted energetically. It was a moment I cherished dearly.
“I felt just like (Datuk) Pandelela Rinong when she returned from the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics,” Pau Cheng shared.
But none of it would have been possible without a fortunate intervention. In her primary school at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Minah in Sarikei, her principal, Mr Hii Kee Kui, noticed something special in her. Instead of the sport Pau Cheng initially pursued—basketball—he encouraged her to pursue table tennis.
Her principal became more than just a guiding figure—he trained Pau Cheng, sparred with her every day, nurturing her growth as an athlete and inspiring her to push her boundaries. Under his careful guidance, her skills blossomed. By the time she attended Sarikei secondary school and later completed her Form 6 at Ling Chu Ming secondary school in Sibu, Pau Cheng’s journey toward becoming a national treasure was already well underway.
“I was so lucky my principal (Mr Hii) discovered me. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the chance to represent Malaysia at such a young age.”
Selected for the national team at the tender age of 10, Pau Cheng’s sports career soared as she competed in major tournaments, including the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and Asian Games. The bronze medal she won at the Africa-Asia-Latin American Championships when she was only 15 remains a shining moment in her memory. It wasn’t just the achievement—it was the celebration, the recognition, and the pride she felt in representing Sarawak and Malaysia.
With many achievements under her belt, it was only natural for Pau Cheng to be acknowledged for her athletic feats. In 1983, she was crowned Sarawak Sportswoman of the Year, and in that same year, she was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Star of Sarawak (ABS).
In her latter years as a professional table tennis player, Pau Cheng also credited her coach, Mok Pek Liang, who played an instrumental role in refining her technique and sustaining her competitive spirit.
Though she retired from professional competition in 1982, her passion for table tennis never waned. Pau Cheng continued to play, staying active in the Sarawak Government Services Sports (MAKSAK) and later took on a new role as the national team manager from 2007 to 2009.
Pau Cheng’s sports legacy was further cemented in 2011 when she was appointed team manager and coach for the 30th National Youth Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur—a tribute to her lasting contribution to the game.
“It (sports) is different now. We (athletes) didn’t have a proper coach, so we just practised every day,” Pau Cheng reflected.
Looking back, Pau Cheng felt it was a life well lived, as she remains incredibly grateful to table tennis for the countless memories and opportunities to explore the world.
Life always offers an unexpected road for those who seek it, and where one dream may seem out of reach, another can unfold with even greater promise. It became a life filled with adventure, accomplishment, and deep gratitude that stands as evidence of how a little girl, armed with a paddle in hand and a heart full of passion, could conquer the world in her own extraordinary way. –DayakDaily
