PETALING JAYA: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen believes his decision to invite independent women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei to strengthen the national squad for the upcoming Uber Cup in Horsens in April is a necessary one.
Jin Wei had also been called up for the previous two editions in Bangkok in 2022 and Chengdu in 2024.
She was also invited to don the national jersey at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen in May last year.
However, for this latest call-up, Jonassen feels that Jin Wei has rediscovered her rhythm after finishing runner-up at the Thailand Masters in Bangkok three weeks ago.
More notably, on her way to the final, Jin Wei defeated two national players. She overcame K. Letshanaa in the quarter-finals and Wong Ling Ching in the last four before being forced to retire in the final against India’s Devika Sihag.
"I think her showing a restored level and the way she fought in Thailand have proven to us that she is back at a high level. But please do not forget that she was also part of the team for the Sudirman Cup last year, so this is not something new," said Jonassen.
The decision to select Jin Wei is also aimed at stabilising the women’s singles department ahead of the Uber Cup.
Jonassen no longer wants Malaysia’s women’s team to merely make up the numbers in the group stage, but instead to put up a strong fight.
"Of course I want a balanced team where we potentially have three women’s singles players at almost the same level. That is quite unique and it makes us a very competitive side.
"Maybe not against the very top teams, but against everybody else. Suddenly our line up is looking strong and, as I said, in those 10 days we are there to perform," he added.
For the record, Malaysia’s women’s team have not reached the Uber Cup quarter finals for 16 years, since the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
At present, Jin Wei and her close friend, men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, have requested another week before deciding whether to accept the invitation.
Meanwhile, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have already agreed to help the national squad in the Thomas Cup.
