Chong Wei will do his best to promote Sabah as how he excelled in badminton

 By Olivia Miwil - November 18, 2021 @ 10:30pm

-Pic credit to Facebook Sabah Way Forward

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Lee Chong Wei has given his assurance that he will do his best in his new challenge as Sabah Tourism ambassador.

The former badminton World No 1 said he would fulfil his duty the same way as when he wanted the best results for his badminton career.

"I have been the ambassador for many companies and products, but the ambassadorship for tourism is a new type of challenge and I know I will have to work hard on it to give the best result in promoting Sabah.

"After my retirement, I am hoping to take up the new challenge to revive tourism in Sabah, especially during this tough challenge and promote the state internationally.

"I hope the people of Sabah will stop getting angry at me, because I am also a Malaysian and Sabah is part of Malaysia. In fact, everyone has the same position as me to promote Sabah," he said during a live session on the Sabah Way Forward Facebook page with Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman.

Despite Lee being internationally renowned and able to bring global influence, his one-year appointment received mixed reactions from netizens as he is Penang-born.

He said he had always wanted to come to Sabah and heard many good things from his friends, especially about Sipadan, which is a top three world diving site and about Sabah's fresh seafood.

The father of two had also agreed to moderator Philip Golingai's challenge to climb Mount Kinabalu and try Sabah food such as butod (sago worms), bosou (fermented fish) and bambangan (wild mango).

Meanwhile, Noredah said the board has plans to bring Lee to visit Mount Kinabalu, which is a Unesco World Heritage site, Semporna, Danum Valley Conservation Area, as well as for a wildlife adventure in Sandakan, among others.

"We would like to show Sabah is really beautiful and very educational for his two sons and a beautiful trip for his wife.

"We will also document Datuk's journey the moment he arrives (in Sabah) and while he is enjoying his trip... we want people to know how the World No 1 is enjoying himself after retirement."