top of page

Dato Lee's Childhood 

I was born in Bagan Serai, Perak in the year 1982. Later i moved to Bukit Mertajam , Penang. My birth came as a big surprise to my parents Lee Ah Chai and Khor Kim Chooi as my mom was taking contraceptive pills. However, my mom gratefully regarded this as a blessing from God. Despite that, my arrival brought difficulties to my family. I was going to be a bigger burden. Friends and relatives suggested my parents to  consider giving me away. But my mother stood firm with her decision  of giving away her own flesh and blood.


Among my siblings, I am closest to my sister even though we have a four years age difference between us. My sister, Lee Mei Ching was already working when she was in her fourth year. Whenever my mother prepares lunch for us, I would bring Ching’s lunch to the bakery she’s working at. She would then stop all her work just to  enjoy her lunchtime. The owner of the bakery was a friendly middle-aged woman who would always offer me some cookies. Despite a long day at work, my sister never earned that much. She would never spend a single cent and gave everything to mother Instead. Just like my two older brothers, Lee Chong Hoon and Lee Chong Eng.


Being the youngest, I was always pampered. While my older siblings are working hard, I was always having fun. Whenever I felt sleepy, I didn’t have to stay up but the three of them weren’t allowed to do so. Even so, they never grumbled at the unfairness between us. This is me. The apple of my family’s eye and my innocent childhood.

​

​

 

Before  i was involved in badminton, basketball was everything to me and i played in the school team when i was in primary school. Until 1992, my friend who sat next to me invited me to join him play badminton. It has always been great to be able to discover new things  for curious young boys like us. Since then, we often played badminton together and i gradually improved with frequent playing.

​
In the same year i participated in my first match at school and i won it .In a morning assembly, i received my first trophy  and i was so proud as it was the first taste of triumph in my life. At that time Mr. Teh Eng Huat, who was the badminton coach noticed me and offered to train me but rejected by my parent because of not good in financial situation. I was so upset. After that i played badminton and basketball everyday even sometimes without my parent permission.

Until the day i stopped play basketball is because of neighbors complaint about me. So my dad warned me to stop play basketball anymore otherwise he will break my legs. 

 

One day Mr. Teh came again to talked with my parent about to let him train me.  At last my parent approved and i was the best day of my life. So i began my training with Mr.Teh at Berapit Primary school.

1994, i was twelve and i was the first time i participated my first tournament outside from school. I lost but it didnt stop me to keep playing badminton. When i was thirteen, i played for our school in Masjid Sukan Sekolah Pulau pinang and i won the silver medal.

1996, i was seventeen and i received a offer of acceptance from National Sport College. Being accepted into the college didn't necessarily mean that i could represent the national team immediately. i would still depend on my performances. I need work hard.


Dato's Lee was featured in Astro Channel

bottom of page