National badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has expressed his gratitude after being conferred the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries the prestigious title of “Datuk Seri.”
“I received the Datukship title in 2008 and now the ‘Datuk Seri’ title. I thank the state government for once again awarding me with this honour. I am grateful to Penang for supporting and encouraging me over the years,” said Lee when met after the investiture ceremony.
The award was presented during the 84th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at Dewan Sri Pinang in George Town on Wednesday (July 30).
A proud Penangite, Lee held the world No.1 men’s singles ranking for a total of 349 weeks throughout his illustrious career, including a remarkable 199-week streak from August 21, 2008, to June 14, 2012.
Lee, a three-time Olympic Games silver medalist, retired in 2019 after a glittering 19-year career filled with numerous international accolades. His retirement followed medical advice to avoid high-intensity training to reduce the risk of a cancer relapse.
He shared that the honour has motivated him to give back to both his home state and the sport that made him a household name.
