New challenge: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky (right) with the new BAM singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Dane Kenneth Jonassen is positive about improving the fortunes of the men’s singles in Malaysia.
Jonassen, who was appointed as singles head coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), cannot wait to get started in his first stint in Asia.
The Dane was attracted to a new challenge for him after 11 years as head coach in the Danish Badminton Association.
“If you are successful in Europe, all roads point to Asia where badminton is a bigger sport,” said Jonassen in a press conference at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“I have always been a fan of Malaysian badminton, looking at the way the sport is treated here and how important it is.
“For me, this was a unique opportunity. A once in a lifetime chance. I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.”
A phone call from national coaching director Rexy Mainaky led to Jonassen considering the possibility of working in Malaysia.
“I was initially approached a month after I announced that I was going to step down as Denmark head coach,” said Jonassen.
“I had known for a long time. My association in Denmark have kept that a secret. They didn’t want it out of course before the Paris Olympics (in August).
“It was a phone call from Rexy that got my mind started that this was a possibility. When you are a head coach, you don’t really get many other job offers because people think you are set there.
“I was in the Danish association for 11 years and being in the same environment year after year, you may start losing a bit of excitement, so to speak.
“Coming here has brought back the fire in me. I’m excited to work with new players in a new system and culture,” added Jonassen.
Jonassen is impressed by the likes of Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh and Ng Tze Yong and is looking forward to nurturing them.
He first saw Justin when the 20-year-old played against Jonassen’s charge at that time, Rasmus Gemke in the group match in the Thomas Cup Finals in May.
“I had to prepare Rasmus against Justin. He was the third men’s singles for the Thomas Cup,” said Jonassen.
“He is very talented just like Jun Hao and Tze Yong. All have achieved breakthroughs of their own.
“What inspires you as a coach is to work with gifted players where you can see the possibility of them going far.
“It’s always the ambition for us coaches to get the most out of each player; to get them to their full capacity.”
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.
“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 Olympics qualifying period. The players need to be in the mix to make the cut by this time or it will be very tricky.”
