Sidek Abdullah Kamar was a Malaysian badminton coach and the father of Malaysia's most famous badminton-playing family, Sidek brothers who represented Malaysia in badminton. It was his sons who played the biggest roles to take Malaysia out of the doldrums in world badminton, culminating in the success to regain the Thomas Cup after a lapse of 25 years in 1992. Kamar laid the groundwork for his son's rise to stardom in Malaysian badminton. Led by Misbun, the Sidek brothers began their domination of the game from the early 1980s to 2000.
Early life and education
Sidek was born on 19 January 1936, at Kampung Kanchong Darat, Banting in Selangor. He attended the SMKA Al-Mashoor in Penang. His father, Abdullah Kamar Salimin was a farmer and herdsman.
Career
1957: Started playing competitively at the age of 21.
1965-2005: Trained his children at a self-built two-court badminton hall at his home in Banting; groomed youngsters at his Kanchong Darat Centre.
Highlights of his children’s achievements
National champion ; National Sportsman award ; World Cup runner-up ; All-England runner-up. RAZIF-JALANI All-England champion ; World Grand Prix Finals champions ; Commonwealth Games ; World Cup champions ; Thomas Cup champions ; Barcelona Olympicsbronze medal. RASHID Commonwealth Games champion ; Thomas Cup champions ; Atlanta Olympics bronze medal ; All-England runner-up ; National Sportsman Award. RAHMAN Member of the Thomas Cup winning team. ZAMALIAH Member of Commonwealth Games silver medal-winning team.
Personal life
Sidek married three times. His first marriage was with Rukinah Sulaiman in 1954 and they are blessed with 8 children; Rusitah, Misbun, Razif, Jalani, Rahman, Rashid, Zamaliah and Shahrezan. After his wife, Rukinah whom he calls Kinah died in January 2003, he married Juriah Abd Wahab, but divorced. Sidek married his third wife Bangaton Rasman, a year later until his death.
Death
Sidek died at about 2.25am on 17 October 2005 at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang, at the age of 69 due to kidney failure, diabetes, pneumonia and high blood pressure. His remains was buried at the Banting Muslim cemetery. His wife Rukinah Sulaiman, suffered a stroke and died on January 30, 2003 at the age of 61.
