Penang bestows Chong Wei All-Time Athlete Award

National badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei on Friday received the All-Time Athlete Award at the annual Penang Sports Award Presentation here.

Chong Wei, when met by reporters after the ceremony last night, said he was very humbled to be given such a recognition.

"I am touched, this is the first time I am recognised with the award which will motivate me to continue moving forward," he said.

The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist said the award which recognised his achievements would be a catalyst for him continue his badminton career to the next Olympics.

"Nonetheless I am not promising whether I will or will not compete in the coming Olympics. What I can say is that the award tonight really fires my spirit to continue working hard in my career. Many factors should be taken into consideration such as age and old injuries may recur," he said.

In this regard, Chong Wei also expressed his desire to play his last Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia and the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia next year.

Apart from that, Chong Wei also won the state 2016 Sportsman of the Year at the ceremony while national squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David was crowned Penang''s 2016 Sportswoman of the Year.

Both received RM3,000 and a trophy each.

Chong Wei was also named winner of the TYT Premier Award for 2016.

Apart from them, 2016 Puskas award winner, Mohd Faiz Subri was given a special award in recognition for his contribution in football.

Mohd Faiz, who won the award with his knuckleball kick, was however not present at the ceremony.

Meanwhile karate exponent Cherleen Cheung and Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi from sepak takraw were named the 2016 Most Promising Sportswoman and Sportsman respectively and took home RM2,000 cash and trophy each.

Both the 2016 Best Women''s Team award and the Best Men''s Team award went to the karate team which won RM2,500 in cash and trophy respectively. -- Bernama