Former Hong Kong soccer star robbed of HK$8 million in gold bars and cash
Ex-team captain Lee Wai-man threatened at knifepoint and assaulted outside Fortune Metropolis mall
Former Hong Kong soccer star Lee Wai-man was robbed at knifepoint on Wednesday night, losing more than HK$8 million in gold bars and cash.
The 43-year-old ex-captain of the Hong Kong squad said he was approached by a group of men at Fortune Metropolis mall on Metropolis Drive shortly before 9pm.
They threatened Lee with a knife and assaulted him before making off with his suitcase, which contained 24 gold bars worth HK$7.5 million and 10 million yen (HK$696,300).
The robbers fled in a waiting vehicle. A woman nearby helped Lee call police.
A search was launched, but officers were unable to locate the suspects. Lee suffered light facial injuries but required no treatment.
The Kowloon West regional crime unit is investigating.
Lee’s soccer career had an early start. When he was 11, the Jubilee Sports Centre, the predecessor of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, recognised his potential and selected him for training.
Lee joined Eastern in 1991, followed by Rangers, Sing Tao, Happy Valley and Sha Tin.
He played for the Hong Kong team 68 times between 1993 and 2006, in the latter period as captain.
Lee retired as a player in 2007 and coached several local teams. Since then, he has worked as a football commentator, cabbie and driving instructor.
