Hong Kong mourns ‘Crazy Sword’ Chow Chee Keong – earned more than Europeans and once arrived at a game by helicopter
The Malaysian died in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning at the age of 69; he played for South China, Tung Sing, Rangers and Jardines
He was a Chinese footballer who was paid more than his European counterparts and he was once brought to the stadium for a match by helicopter – that’s how much former Malaysia goalkeeper “Crazy Sword” Chow Chee Keong was revered in Hong Kong.
Chow died on Wednesday morning in his native Malaysia at the age of 69. The former South China goalkeeper is one of Asia’s greatest players, having won the Asian Football Confederation best goalkeeper award five years in a row from 1966 to 1970.
And when he first arrived in Hong Kong to play professionally, he was treated like royalty, earning a salary of HK$2,500 – more than popular British stars such as Derek Currie and Walter Gerrard.
“I do remember him very well,” said Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, the former chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association. “He was the best goalkeeper in Asia and it shows the status of Hong Kong at the time to have the region’s best goalkeeper.
“He was the highest-paid player in Hong Kong at the time, more than even the overseas players, which was unheard of for a Chinese player. I also remember him arriving at a game in a helicopter. That was one of my favourite memories of him.
“He was very popular with fans and made a big contribution to Hong Kong football. He will be missed.”