KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The People's Progressive Party (PPP) has suggested that Stadium Badminton Cheras here be renamed Stadium Badminton Punch Gunalan.

Party president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas said this was to honour the late badminton icon who had contributed immensely to the development of the game, both locally and internationally.

"The party recognises the contribution of the late Datuk Punch Gunalan," he told reporters at a programme in which he distributed 1,000 Jalur Gemilang for free to the public in Sentul Pasar here today.

Gunalan, 68, succumbed to cancer last Wednesday at the Sime Darby Medical Centre in Subang Jaya.

He brought glory to Malaysia at various international badminton championships, such as the prestigious All-England, Thomas Cup and Asian Games.

He was given the National Sportsman Award in 1969 and 1974 before becoming badminton national coach and guiding the national squad to win the Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 1992.

Gunalan had held the posts of Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) honorary general secretary and president of the International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 2004 to 2008.

He was made Badminton Association of Malaysia deputy president, his last post with the association, in 2005.

On the programme, Kayveas said it was to foster and encourage the spirit of patriotism among the people, in conjunction with the 55th Independence Day celebrations.

"We, as Malaysians, should be proud to fly the Jalur Gemilang, not only in the month (of Malaysia's) of independence but also to symbolise our patriotism, he told reporters.