A tall order for a Dane, but can Jonassen do it?

SO many foreign and local badminton coaches have come and gone – but that Olympics gold medal still remains elusive.

Next up is the LA Olympics in 2028, and can Dane Kenneth Jonassen break the duck? He has achieved the feat before, but can he repeat it with Malaysia?

Jonassen is the latest coach hired by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to strengthen their coaching and training squad.

He has been put in charge of the men and women’s singles squad. He was in town this week with a huge smile on his face and took questions from the media like a champ.

He looks all pumped up to officially begin his job in January.

He comes with impressive credentials. Under him, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark won an Olympic gold medal in 2020 and ended their nation’s long wait for a Thomas Cup title in 2006.

It was a fantastic feat, considering that Denmark, with a population of six million, is a small badminton nation compared to all the Asian giants.

The lanky Dane, who was quite an accomplished player himself, has achieved many other things as well, and is always seen as a team player.

A friend from Denmark sent me a message when the news broke that Jonassen has agreed to take up the offer from the BAM.

“Congrats to Malaysia for getting a fantastic coach and an even better person,” the text said.

I have known coach Jonassen for some time, and I couldn’t agree more. No one can dispute his coaching calibre. On top of that, he is a nice person too.

He is straightforward in his ways, truthful, always puts the interest of the players first and is passionate about the sport.

The Dane seems determined to meet the target that has been set for him – to end Malaysia’s wait for a gold medal at the 2028 Olympic Games. He has also been tasked with empowering the coaches under him like K. Yogendran, Alvin Chiew, and Misbun Ramdan.

It is, of course, easier said than done. Many other good coaches have been here.

Under the late Indonesian Indra Gunawan, we had seven singles players in the top 20 at one stage. And who can forget China’s coach Li Mao.

He looks stern like a military man and smokes like a chimney, but his coaching skills are top notch.

Our own Misbun Sidek is one of a kind. His knowledge of the game is vast, and his experience is priceless. He has inspired many junior players to believe in themselves.

Malaysia’s three-time Olympic silver medal winner Lee Chong Wei has reaped the benefit of training under all of them above. He also enjoyed a stint under Hendrawan.

There were others too, like China’s Han Jian, Fang Kaixiang; Korean Park Joo-bong, Misbun’s brother Rashid and many other BAM coaches who may have not taken the lead role, but had worked behind the scene tirelessly.

Indonesian Rexy Mainaky is probably one of the more successful ones.

In his first stint in Malaysia, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong ended the country’s 36-year wait for a gold medal at the Asian Games in Doha. When he returned for the second time, top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik went on to end the country’s elusive wait for a world title.

Despite having so many different coaches, why have we fallen short in the Olympic Games despite having tried at every Games since the sport was included at Barcelona 1992.

Despite the short history, badminton has been the most successful sport for Malaysia in the Olympic Games by winning most medals – but all silvers and bronzes. The gold has always eluded us.

Are we just plain unlucky? Or is it about doing more?

Have we done what we should have – bring the best coaches, provide the best training facilities, give all kinds of perks?

Have our players pushed beyond barriers, made the necessary sacrifices and trained with eyes set on the big prize?

Some countries who do not have a great badminton tradition have won Olympic titles, yet Malaysia – who last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 – cannot do so.

We are either doing something wrong, or there is a root problem that we have not addressed.

Bringing in Jonassen is another bid to try and identify that root problem, and overcome it.

I do wish Jonassen all the best. He will need all the luck he can get.

Many coaches have not lasted in the country because of many different factors. Can Jonassen survive them all?

There’s about three and half years to July 14, 2028 when the next Olympics starts. But it will be here in the blink of an eye.

Will this Dane stand tall or will he sink like those before him?