Chong Wei receives honorary lieutenant commander rank

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- National shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei on Thursday received the honorary lieutenant commander of the Royal Malaysian Navy Volunteer Reserve (PSSTLDM) award from Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Chong Wei received the award at the Wisma Pertahanan (Defence building) in Semarak road here. The international badminton icon described the award, effective May, as the impetus for his success in the London Olympics at the end of this month, following a setback in the Thomas Cup championship due to leg injuries. Chong Wei, who is getting married next year, said the Olympic Games could be his last Olympic outing and thus would give his best performance to win a gold medal for the country. Elaborating on the rank, Chong Wei hoped more professional sportsmen would join the uniformed body such as the PSSTLDM. Ahmad Zahid said the award was in recognition of the role of the public and private sectors and to attract more professionals to join PSSTLDM. -- BERNAMA