|
NO.1 SPORTS FAN: Mr Tay was an avid sportsman in school and covered the sports beat throughout his journalistic career. He rose to be a senior writer and deputy sports editor before becoming sports editor in 2005. -- ST FILE PHOTO
|
SPORTS was Tay Cheng Khoon's first love and he made a career of it, covering major events, meeting some of his heroes and remaining passionate about all that he did to the end.
The former sports editor of The Straits Times died early yesterday, losing a year-long battle with cancer. He was 58.
He had stepped down as sports chief last month because of his deteriorating health, but continued filing his weekly Sunday column until two weeks ago.
He was too ill to write last weekend.
He leaves his wife Pauline, 57, a retired nurse, and sons Desmond, 33, a flight steward, and Cassian, 30, a Web designer.
Said Desmond: 'The family was with him during his last moments. He remained strong throughout, yet displayed a softer side, cracking jokes till the end.'
The wake is being held at his home at 5 Kew Avenue. The funeral will be held on Sunday.
Mr Tay was an avid sportsman from his schooldays at St Patrick's School, where he went on to be a teacher. He played everything from cricket to racket sports and later took up golf, which he loved.
After 12 years in teaching, he made a career switch to journalism in 1980, working first with the now defunct afternoon newspaper New Nation and then with The Straits Times.
Throughout, he covered one beat: Sports. He rose to be a senior writer and deputy sports editor before becoming sports editor in 2005.
He was Singapore's premier squash reporter during the sport's heyday in the 1980s, when the Republic was among the top squash nations in the world.
He accompanied the team to various World Championships and documented Singapore's rise from minnows to world No. 6.
Former national champion Zainal Abidin said Mr Tay was more than a journalist to the players.
Now the national coach, Mr Zainal said: 'I will always cherish those moments he spent travelling with us. He was more like a part of the team, like a close friend...Even if he had to criticise the team in his reports, it would be constructive.'
Golfer M. Murugiah, 43, considers Mr Tay a major influence on his career. He said: 'I've known him since I was a youth golfer. I learnt a lot from him, like how to talk to the media. I will miss him.'
From the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games and 2004 Athens Olympics, to golf's US Masters and British Open, Mr Tay was often The Straits Times' man at major sporting events.
Among sports journalists, Mr Tay's ability to network with everyone from rising sports stars to top officials was legendary and it allowed him to secure many exclusive interviews.
Said Mr Han Fook Kwang, editor of The Straits Times: 'I couldn't have asked for more from a sports editor, not just Cheng Khoon's dedication and commitment to the job but also his ability to motivate others.
'He was especially good at developing the younger reporters. It showed in the camaraderie and team spirit at the sports desk.'
marclim@sph.com.sg
|
