Maestros: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky with new BAM singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen during a press conference at Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Kenneth Jonassen's ultimate goal is to produce a gold medallist in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but acknowledges the tough road ahead.
"It's a big goal, the ultimate goal is always to win one of the big titles. I think four years' time is a long journey from now," said Jonassen, who has been appointed as Malaysia's singles head coach.
"We have to take it step by step but the other way is to look if we want to do this by 2028, let's see what we have to do by 2027, 2026, 2025 because breaching the gap from now on is huge.
"I will work very closely with both the players but also with my new colleagues. If we are to reach that goal, it has to be through teamwork. No one can do it on their own.
"For that to happen, we need a lot of honesty and hard work. No stone must be left unturned.
"We have two and a half years before the Olympic qualifying period. The players need to be in the mix to make the cut by this time or it will very tricky."
He reports to national coaching director Rexy Mainaky and those coaches under the Dane are K. Yogendran, Alvin Chew (men's singles), and Jeffer Rosobin, Misbun Ramdan (women's singles).
