Lee Chong Wei to retire next week
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s number one badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei is expected to retire next week after playing for the game for 19 years.
Sources told Malay daily Berita Harian that the 37-year-old opted for retirement to avoid further stress due to nasal cancer.
“Chong Wei has decided to not play anymore but he wants to meet Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and his coach before he makes the announcement,” said the source.
“According to doctor’s reports he is cured completely from nasal cancer but he cannot have stress as it would lead the recurrence of the illness,” the source added.
Lee has not been undergoing training sessions for a month as he took leave in the last weeks of April to undergo follow up check-ups in Taiwan.
Prior to that the three-time Olympics silver medallist underwent training thrice a week after it was confirmed that he was free of nasal cancer.
Lee also confirmed that he would be meeting BAM president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria to inform them of his plans.
“It is up to BAM to call for a press conference to announce it. For now I cannot announce it as I respect the BAM and my coach,” said Lee who last won the Malaysia Open 2018 which was the 12th award in his career.
