YOURSAY ‘Malaysians are that much poorer today, having lost both a champion and a standard bearer of the game.'

your say Abasir: Punch Gunalan was of a different era and a different class. He was an inspiration to the thousands who picked up the game after watching him performed at Stadium Negara on grainy black-and-white television sets.

His amazing partnership with Ng Boon Bee was the stuff of legends and his personal life served as a role model of good conduct, both on and off the court.

Malaysians are that much poorer today, having lost both a champion and a standard bearer of the game. May his family be consoled by the kind words and thoughts of a grieving generation of badminton-lovers.

Clever voter: We all remember his games against the likes of (former Indonesian badminton star) Rudy Hartono Kurniawan, which kept the country united as one. We will miss him terribly, and his commitment, determination and nationalism are values that our politicians should aspire.

Mirror on the Wall: The world of badminton was blessed by his presence. He was selfless, and he did all for the nation, not for money because they did not have that kind of incentives at that time.

It's a disgrace that we only remember people like him when they pass on. Farewell Punch from a grateful nation.

Multi Racial: A very sad day indeed. Punch has done a lot for badminton in the country. He has brought glory to the country many times. He made us proud. Our condolences to his loved ones. And to Punch, rest in peace.

Ksn: Punch, if I am not mistaken, was the first person to take the legend Rudy to three sets or beat him in the 1970 Thomas Cup held in Kuala Lumpur. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Now we will wait for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his government to honour and reward his family on the death of this real Malaysian hero.

With Ng as his partner, they won all doubles in the world tournaments. They were the greatest team, and truly Malaysian. Condolences to the family.

Shathriyan: No one can deny that Punch has contributed tremendously to popularise badminton in our country. He was the role model for many of those youngsters of the 70s who had aspired to become world class badminton players. My condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

Anonymous #33722082:

I was doctor to the Commonwealth team sent to New Zealand in 1974. I recall Punch showed mental toughness to win his gold medal. His fighting spirit was an example to all players. My deepest condolences to his family.

Malayamuda: A Malaysian who made Malaysians proud to say they were Malaysians. Thank you, Panchacharam Gunalan.

Bootsie: He died as he lived - a great hero and a true friend of Malaysia. To his family, I would like to say you have lost a great husband/father. For Malaysians, we have lost a great hero. May the Good Lord bless his soul and grant him eternal rest.

The Saint: He was never an Indian but a true Malaysian. May his glory live on.

Anonymous #07854536: My deepest condolences to the family of Punch. The nation will always remember you as one of the great sportsmen of Malaysia.

Anonymous #62211637: Rest in peace, brother. God bless. You did well for Malaysians to be proud of you and the country. Your time has come and the Good Lord has called you home for your gold medal in life.

Lets be fair: Deepest condolence to his family. His service to uplift the standard of badminton has evidently shown in the present. His attainment in this sport leaves a legacy that others may follow.

Mohd Sivakumar Abdullah Pillay: A true hero is gone. May his soul rest in peace.

Disgusted: Condolences to Punch's family. He served the country selflessly in his era where money and gifts were not given out like water as it is nowadays.

Anonymous_VV: A great hero who played badminton for the love of his country, with others in the team. They did not play for monetary reward. A great sportsman and hero, we salute him.

Fairnessforall: My deepest condolence to the family. Sadly his contributions to the country were not very much recognised by the government unlike sportsmen these days, who don't achieve as much but still get rewarded hugely.

Hang Tuah PJ: To Vikeyakumari (Mrs Punch), my deepest condolences. You were my teacher at Sekolah Rendah Perempuan Datuk Abu Bakar in Jalan Davis, Kuala Lumpur, and you left us to marry Punch. RIP, brother.

Papspulus: To the family of Punch, what moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch.

We may not understand why he left this earth so soon, or why he left before we were ready to say goodbye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that he died, but that he lived.

And that his life gave us memories too beautiful to forget. May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

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