JOHOR BAHRU — Triple Olympic silver medallist Datuk Lee Chong Wei has officially been named Johor’s Sports Ambassador, with expectations that his appointment will contribute positively to the development of young athletes in the state.
Johor State Sports Council (MSNJ) director Mohd Ekmaluddin Ishak highlighted that the appointment of the former world No. 1, who held the top ranking for 349 weeks between 2008 and 2012, aligns with the state’s ambition to foster a world-class sports culture.
“This strategic collaboration will identify high-potential sports based on current trends and Johor’s sports development plan.
“Chong Wei will not only inspire athletes to achieve excellence but also to become better individuals,” he said at a press conference following the signing ceremony, attended by Johor State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.
Meanwhile, Chong Wei expressed his gratitude for the ambassadorial role and said he looked forward to sharing his experiences to boost the development of Johor’s young athletes.
“I will share my journey, including the challenges I faced and how I overcame them, as well as the lessons I learned from my idols. Discipline is key to success, and I hope to pass on those lessons,” he said.
Chong Wei also acknowledged the vision of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail and the support of the people of Johor, which motivated him to accept the ambassadorial role.
The 42-year-old is a three-time All England champion and three-time runner-up at the World Championships.
He was recognised as the National Maal Hijrah Figure in 2016 and was conferred the title of Datuk Wira by the Melaka state government.
Last month, Tunku Ismail announced several sports icons, including Chong Wei, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Tim Cahill, as Johor sports ambassadors. — April 18, 2025