PETALING JAYA: It has been three months but the search for a new women’s singles badminton coach continues.
But coaching director Kenneth Jonassen from Denmark is not fretting.
Instead of rushing into it, Jonassen is looking for a versatile and experienced candidate to fill the position left vacant by Jeffer Rosobin of Indonesia, who resigned at the end of February.
“I see many potential coaches. Anybody with experience having coached here or abroad is very much appreciated,” said Jonassen.
“It’s very much about working as one team all the way from senior to junior.
“I like to move the coaches around in different positions. That gives us an overall feel of unity and a stronger line-up.”
Former men’s singles shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, who is currently coaching in Ireland is one of the options for Jonassen.
Then, there is also former All-England champion Mohd Hafiz Hashim, who is no longer coaching a club in India.
“Iskandar is an experienced coach but I can’t confirm anything for now. He’s somebody that for sure will be good for our line-up,” said Jonassen.
“It’s the middle of the year though, meaning that other coaches are still under contract.
Jonassen also believes that stability is important after the constant chopping and changing of coaches in the women’s singles department over the past few years.
The likes of James Chua, K. Yogendran and Jeffer have all not stayed long in the position since 2022.
Of the three, only Yogendran is still in BAM and was moved to the men’s singles department last October.
“I think stability is crucial. It gives the long term objective of development and you can follow a certain plan,” said Jonassen.
Jonassen is determined to improve the fortunes of the women’s singles with Malaysia currently struggling to produce top players in the department.
World No. 49 K. Letshanaa is currently BAM’s highest ranked player followed by world No. 92 Wong Ling Ching.
World No. 47 independent player Goh Jin Wei is the national No. 1.
