The OCM Mourns The Passing of Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock

The OCM expresses its deepest condolences to the family members of Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock, who passed away peacefully on Friday, 15th November 2024, at the age of 80.

Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock began his career in sports as a Physical Education teacher at SRK Stella Maris, a primary school in Kangar, Perlis, in 1968. In 1972, he was transferred to SM Derma, a secondary school also in Kangar. With his academic qualifications and extensive experience in sports, he was promoted in 1975 to a lecturer position in Physical Education at the Teacher Training College in Kinta, Perak. His final role in the civil service was as Federal School Inspector for Physical Education in Perak in 1981. He opted for early retirement in 1983 to dedicate himself to Basketball development in Malaysia.

He served as one of the coaches for national Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams from 1975 to 1989. His highest achievement as a national coach was leading the Men’s Basketball Team to a gold medal at the 15th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1989. This accomplishment marked only the second and to date, last time, our Men’s Basketball Team had won a SEA Games gold medal since Basketball became an official event in the SEA Games in 1977. The Men’s Basketball Team won the first gold medal during the 10th SEA Games in Jakarta in 1979.

He first took on the role of Technical Assistant to the Secretary General of Asian Basketball Confederation, now known as FIBA Asia, from 1983 to 1990. From 1990 onward, his Basketball career became a full-time commitment, as he was appointed or elected to serve the Basketball community at all levels, nationally, regionally, continentally and globally.

The extensive Basketball portfolio of Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock included the following:

𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (𝗠𝗔𝗕𝗔)
Deputy Secretary General (1984-1990), Secretary General (1990-2008) & Vice President (2008-2011).

𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘 (𝗠𝗕𝗟)
Chief Executive Officer (1995-2006).

𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗕𝗔)
Secretary General (1994-2015).

𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗔 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔
Deputy Secretary General (1994-1998), Secretary General (1998-2012) & Secretary General Emeritus (since 2012)

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (𝗖𝗕𝗙)
Treasurer (1983-1997) & Vice President (1998-2006).

𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗔
Technical Committee Member (1990-1994), Central Board Member (1998-2006), Administration Council Member (1998-2006) & Vice President (2003-2006)

Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock was also a highly knowledgeable technical official in Basketball. His expertise in organising international competitions was demonstrated by his appointment as a Technical Commissioner by FIBA, during which he officiated at numerous prestigious international Basketball championships throughout the 1990s and 2000s. These included the World Basketball Championships, the Asian Basketball Championships as well as the Southeast Asian Basketball Championships.

In addition, he was also appointed as a Technical Delegate for Basketball at several Multi-Sport Games, including the SEA Games (1985, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001 & 2003), the Asian Games (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 & 2010) and the Olympic Games (1992, 2000, 2004 & 2008).

He had also served as a member of the Malaysian Contingent at various Multi-Sport Games under the jurisdiction of OCM as follows:

a. 9th Asian Games Delhi 1982 – Coach
b. 12th SEA Games Singapore 1983 – Coach
c. 14th SEA Games Jakarta 1987 – Team Manager
d. 15th SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 1989 – Coach

In recognizing his contributions, Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock was conferred the following:

1. Pingat Jasa Baik (PJB) by the Raja of Perlis in 1974.
2. Pingat Jasa Kebaktian by the Raja of Perlis in 1976.
3. Executive of the Year Award by United States Basketball Association (USBA) in 1997.
4. Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) by the Sultan of Pahang in 2000.
5. Millennium Recognition Award by the Malaysian Association of Physical Education, Sport Science and Fitness in 2000.
6. 40th Anniversary Recognition Award by Asian Basketball Confederation in 2000.
7. John Wooden Life Time Award by USBA in 2001
8. “The Man Who Changed FIBA Asia” Award by FIBA in 2012.
9. Sports Leadership Award by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia in 2015
10. Lifetime Achievement Award by MABA in 2024.

“On behalf of the OCM, we deeply mourn the passing of Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock, a remarkable individual who made invaluable contributions to the development of Basketball in Malaysia”,

“I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to honour him with the MABA Lifetime Achievement Award during the Annual Dinner of the MABA held on 27 January 2024 at The Westin Kuala Lumpur”,

“The contributions of Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock extended far beyond Basketball and his dedication to the Olympic Movement in Malaysia was immense”,

“In recognition of his extensive contributions to Basketball and his significant influence on the growth of the Olympic Movement in Malaysia, Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock was inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame in 2015” stated Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of OCM and Vice President of OCA.