KOTA KINABALU: The cultural and lion dance community in Sabah is mourning the loss of 24-year-old Hambali Latip from the Leong Sin Sports Association Sandakan, who died on Thursday (May 1) after a training accident left him in a coma for five months.
Hambali, who joined the association in 2019 and served as the tail performer in lion dance routines, fell during a practice session earlier this year and suffered serious neck injuries.
Despite intensive treatment, he never regained consciousness.
Tributes poured in on social media after news of his passing was shared by the Facebook page "Liondoncefreak", which described him as a gifted athlete who won numerous awards with his team in national and international competitions.
In one of his last public performances, Hambali and his team showcased their skills at the Malaysia Lion King Championship 2025 at Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
Tanjong Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon conveyed his condolences to the family and said Hambali's dedication to preserving Chinese traditional culture, despite not being ethnically Chinese, was a powerful symbol of unity.
“He showed us how culture transcends race and brings people together,” he said in a condolence message shared with the media.
His aide Liau Fui Fui also conveyed heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the constituency office.
Master Wong Nyuk Leong, representing the association, presented a donation to Hambali’s family as a token of respect.
