Sandakan lion dance troupe pays homage to ex-teammate Hambali
Published on: Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Published on: Tue, May 06, 2025
By: Esther Glorie Leow Text Size: The association members with Hambali's family. Hambali succumbed to his training injury on May 1. SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Leong Sin Lion Dance Association held a second memorial visit last Sunday to honour 24-year-old lion dancer Hambali Latip, who passed away on May 1, following complications from a training injury. Led by Chairman Wong Yuk Leong, over 40 members visited Hambali's family home before paying final respects at his gravesite on May 4. Hambali, who joined the association in 2019, suffered a severe neck injury during a pole training routine in January and underwent surgery on Jan 15, after the association was instructed by a local hospital to purchase surgical implants and material costing RM14,400. Despite remaining conscious throughout his 112-day hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated due to lung infection and respiratory complications, leading to his passing at 4.15pm on May 1. On the evening of his death, association members and leaders escorted Hambali's body back to his hometown in Kinabatangan. He was laid to rest the following day on May 2, at 11am in a private burial ceremony. Hambali had earned numerous accolades and performed internationally in his seven years of experience with the troupe. 'Hambali was a dedicated and gifted lion dancer who brought pride to our association and nation. His passing is a profound loss to the lion dance community,' the association said in a statement. 'We pray that Hambali is at peace in the embrace of Almighty Allah,' the association added, extending its gratitude to all members of the global lion dance community for their messages of condolences and contributions. The association confirmed that Hambali had been enrolled in a personal accident insurance plan, and discussions between his family and the insurance provider are ongoing. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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