In the 1960s, there were the world-class shuttlers in the doubles team of Tan Yee Khan and Ng Boon Bee. In 1966, spectators at Wembley Arena in London were left speechless as they watched Tan Aik Huang play in the set that ended with him becoming All-England champ.

But by the 1980s, it was a certain band of brothers – Razif, Jalani, Misbun, Rashid and Rahman – who left an indelible mark in the sport.

Today, these undisputed sporting stars are reminiscing about their life’s work in a retrospective exhibition called “Sons of Sidek (Anak-Anak Sidek)” at the Sultan Alam Shah Museum in Shah Alam, Selangor.

From comic books to childhood badminton rackets, the exhibition follows the illustrious careers of the Sidek brothers from their early days in Banting to the present day.

According to Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri Selangor (Padat) assistant curator Azrizal Ahmad, the museum began toying with the idea of the exhibition about the legendary shuttlers in 2017.

“Before this, we held an exhibition on footballer Mokhtar Dahari,” he said. “To continue this thread of fostering an appreciation for sports, we came up with the ‘Sons of Sidek’ exhibition.”

He added that it was Padat’s mission to celebrate the legacies of Selangor-born personalities.

The exhibition tells the story of the brothers’ father, the late Sidek Abdullah Kamar, who was enamoured with the sport being a former player-turned-senior coach himself.

With the belief that his boys had the potential to become badminton aces, Sidek trained them at their family home before they were spotted by Khoo Teng Yuen, coach of the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

The brothers then relocated to Kuala Lumpur to undergo rigorous training. This story is retold, humorously in parts, in the vintage “Anak-Anak Sidek” comic books that feature prominently throughout the exhibition.

Also on exhibit is literature on the infamous “S” serve that became Misbun’s calling card, its unpredictable shuttle movement befuddling rivals and officials alike. So controversial was it that it was banned by the International Badminton Federation in 1982.

It could be said that the brothers’ biggest moment came in 1992 during the Thomas Cup tournament that was held in KL.

With the odds stacked against them, Razif, Rashid, and Jalani, who were in the seven-strong Malaysian squad, secured a surprise win after the country’s 25-year dry spell, cementing their reputation as household names in badminton.

In the museum, the brothers’ best performances are played on loop. The Sidek boys’ paraphernalia, such as customised stamps, trophies and more, lend to a feeling of nostalgia.

So, walk around the gallery, practise your serve by whacking a few shuttlecocks, and you’ll soon feel a sense of pride at the achievements of these badminton greats, who came from very humble beginnings.

It’s the perfect way for fans of the game to reflect on this sweet chapter in badminton history.

To find out more about the exhibition, check out Padat’s Instagram page.

Location:
Galeri Daeng Menambun,
Muzium Sultan Alam Shah,
Persiaran Bandaraya,
Seksyen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor

Opening hours:
9.30am-5.30pm (Tuesdays-Sundays)