Football legend Kwai Lam dies

KUALA LUMPUR: Local football legend Chow Kwai Lam, 76, died yesterday.

Chow, who excelled in the 60s and 70s as a national footballer, and later as a coach, died at 11am at the Ampang Puteri Hospital with family members at his bedside.

“My father passed away peacefully. All the children and other family members were with him,” said Chow’s daughter, who wanted to be known only as Carey.

She said her father was admitted to the hospital three days ago after his health deteriorated.

Besides the national team, Chow coached the football teams of Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian under-23 team, and Singapore clubs Tampines Rovers and Paya Lebar Punggol.

Chow was among the biggest names in Malaysian football, having represented the national team from 1965 to 1971.

He had coached the Kuala Lumpur team to win three consecutive Malaysia Cup tournaments, one league championship and the Charity Shield and emerge as FA Cup runner-up. – Bernama