Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wei has been diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer and is "recovering well" after seeking treatment. Malaysians are called to pray for the national badminton ace.
The confirmation came after a social media post claiming that the badminton player has been diagnosed with stage three nose cancer.
He has been absent from the game after pulling out of this year's BWF World Championships and the Indonesian Asian Games due to "a respiratory-related disorder" in July.
Before that, Lee seemed to be back in top shape this year, when he ended Kento Momota's winning streak in the Malaysian Open final and clinched his 12th Malaysia Open title.
While many sportsmen would have given up hope of making a comeback under such circumstances, the 35-year-old wants to play competitively again.
"Wait for me. I'll return to the court. Don't forget me yet, I'm still here," he said in an encouraging voice message from Taiwan, where he is seeking medical treatment as cited from The Straits Times (Sep 22).
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has called on Malaysians to pray for Lee Chong Wei.
“Aggrieved to hear that Datuk Lee Chong Wei is suffering from early-stage nose cancer. Let us all pray for DLCW’s complete recovery,” she said via Twitter.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said he would meet with BAM to discuss how the government could help Chong Wei and his family.
“I’m sad to hear about the challenge facing our national badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
“But I’m confident of his fighting spirit to overcome this challenge. Let us all pray for LCW’s good health. I have sent him my regards through BAM,” he said.
Sources: The Straits Times, Malay Mail