LONDON: Malaysian-born former international badminton player and coach, Benny Khaw, 85, died of Covid-19 at the Kingston Hospital, here, a mere nine days after he tied the knot with his partner of 25 years, Julia Cox, 66.
Their wedding was held at the same hospital he was warded in.
With his stepdaughters, Eleanor Cox, 34 and Emma Perham, 38, as witnesses, they were married by Reverend Susan van Beveren, in what was described as a bittersweet ceremony in celebration of the couple's lives together.
Benny, or Khaw Beng Eam, from Penang was once in the Thomas Cup squad representing Malaysia. He came to England in 1962 to study at the University of London. He worked with the Customs department and for the most part of his life coached the game that he loved.
Benny was rushed to Kingston Hospital on Jan 2, where he then tested positive for Covid-19. He died on Jan 17. Julia who works at a hospital in Guilford was not infected as she had had her vaccination earlier.
"Mum and Benny had talked about getting married but they never got round to it. When he went into hospital, we thought he would be in for only a couple of days. Eventually my mother said she would like to get married. The thought dawned on us whether Benny would actually come home. So mum and Benny discussed it," said Eleanor, who was coached by Benny since she was nine and went on to become a national player for England.
The strict regulation during the lockdown in the United Kingdom meant that marriage ceremonies could only be held in exceptional circumstances: that is if one of the persons marrying is seriously ill and not expected to recover, or is to undergo debilitating treatment or life-changing surgery.
Within 24 hours, health workers at the Kingston Hospital, in an act of humanitarian, transformed the discharge room of its Acute Assessment Unit and decorated it with white balloons; leftovers from the Christmas celebrations. There was also a wedding cake.
The groom, donning a mask was wheeled in. He held his bride's hands and repeated the vows. He could still sign the certificate.
Liz Raderecht, a matron at Kingston Hospital's Acute Assessment Unit, was reported as saying: "It was an honour to plan and put together a special moment for Benny and Julia. It really lifted the whole team to be able to do something like this, in what has been a challenging time for everyone."
The couple, who met when Julia took her daughters for badminton lessons at the Wimbledon Club 25 year ago, became man and wife at 11.30pm.
"We thought him getting married to our mum would give him more courage to fight," continued Emma but Benny had pneumonia and was requiring high levels of oxygen.
"Covid-19 had ravaged his lungs. He said it was like being hit by a train, pointing to his chest," added Eleanor during a visit that the family were allowed to make.
"That would have been Benny's dying wish. He and my mother were inseparable. Benny said it was fate when my mother walked into the badminton club with us that day, because his life totally changed. He must have been nearly 60," said Eleanor, who Benny had taken to meet the Sidek brothers and had trained at Misbun Sidek's training centre when they were on holiday in Malaysia.
"Badminton was Benny's life. Everything that came into his life was because of badminton," she added.
Junior players at the club where he worked, were encouraged to perform well to get the Benny Khaw Wimbledon Cup.
"I think he used to play alongside Eddie Choong whom I have met," she said.
Eleanor described Benny, a non-smoker and a teetotaller, as a fit 85-year-old who exercised a lot and went for walks.
Benny watched his diet, but the killer disease and the lockdown restricted his movements and that made him frail.
While Eleanor benefitted a lot from Benny's coaching, it was the loss of a man whom she regarded as her father that hit her hard.
"Benny would give his life for me. He was a very giving, caring and a loving man and very well-mannered," she said.
According to a press release from the Wimbledon Racquets & Fitness Club, where Benny was a member for over 40 years, he was the lead coach for the junior sessions and provided coaching for several people who went on to qualify as Badminton England coaches and players, such as Ray Stevens (five-time English National Champion), Rajiv Ouseph (England's number 1 singles player and European Champion), and Chris Langridge (Olympic bronze medal winner).
"Benny will be fondly remembered for his passion, inspiration and dedication to badminton," said the release.
Benny and Julia have three daughters and four grandchildren between them, and this was the second marriage for each of them.