The late Dr Chan was passionate in the extreme about sport and was not only associated with swimming but also with several other sports. At one time, he was President of the Singapore Lawn Tennis Association.

As a swimming coach, he was legendary. He did not know how to swim; yet he was able to devise and introduce revolutionary methods of training to harness the talents of his protégés, his children. His training was tough and all his children underwent his experimental training methods which proved extremely effective as it resulted in his children's decade-long dominance in swimming in the Southeast Asian region, particularly Patricia, Singapore's first Golden Girl and her brothers, Bernard, Alex, Roy and Mark.

The outstanding performances of his children had an important role in making Singapore a swimming powerhouse in the 1960s to 70s. It made our Southeast Asian neighbours sat up and took notice. This dominance was unheard of and it set the tone for the sweep of successes from our swimmers until today.

It is no wonder that Dr Chan Ah Kow was the first coach to have won the Coach of the Year title thrice and he won it consecutively, too.