Hall of Fame

Tan Sri Dato’ Khir Johari

Category: Official
Sport: Sepaktakraw
Year Inducted: 2002

Tan Sri Dato’ Khir Johari is certainly no stranger to Malaysian politics. He was one of the founding fathers of Independent Malaysia (then Malaya) and a Member of Parliament for 27 years starting in 1955. He also held the positions of Minister for Education, Commerce and Industry and Minister of Agriculture over the years. In 1973, he was made Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States and concurrently also served as the Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. In 1976 he returned to Malaysia and contributed actively to the business, social and sports worlds.

A much sought after leader in sports, “Pak Khir”, as he was fondly called, has also served as the President of various associations including the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). During his time, Malaysia won the coveted Thomas Cup in Jakarta in 1967. He also held the post of President to the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association and Malaysian Body Building Federation. He was also the Deputy President of Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) from 1982 onwards.

Perhaps his most lasting legacy in the sporting world is his founding of sepaktakraw, a popular competitive sport in this region. He adapted the sport from the original recreational sport of “sepak raga bulatan”. Today, the sport is played in many parts of Europe, America and Russia and is a regular feature in the SEA and Asian Games. For his contribution to the universal promotion of Olympism and sport, he was awarded the IOC Trophy for “Sport and Universality” in 2000.

His humble and down-to-earth personality camouflaged his numerous achievements nationally and internationally. He believed sports to be an avenue which could bring unity, nation building and an outlet for one’s passions. Pak Khir will always be remembered as a friend of sport and a father figure for sportsmen and women – a legacy that will remain imprinted in this country’s sporting annals forever.

Achievements:

1960 - President, BAM (until 1985), *Malaysia won the Thomas Cup, 1967

1961 - President, Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (until 1984), *introduced sepaktakraw as a competitive sport, President, Malaysian Body Building Federation

1982 - Deputy President, OCM

19__ - Olympic Order (Gold Medal) from IOC

2000 - IOC Trophy for “Sport and Universality”

Back to Hall of Fame