Jonassen wants singles shuttlers to rise like Vikings

KUALA LUMPUR: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen says there are no shortcuts to success and is prioritising long-term planning over "quick fixes" for the struggling national men's and women's squads.

The Danish coach, appointed 12 months ago, noted that top players in his home country were not developed overnight.

His comments follow a quiet 2025 where the national singles shuttlers struggled to make significant breakthroughs.

The year's best results were SEA Games bronze medals won by Leong Jun Hao (world No. 28), Justin Hoh (world No. 39), and Wong Ling Ching (world No. 44) in Bangkok last month.

"I come from a system where things take time. The top Danish players were not developed overnight, and I'm not here to make a quick fix that will backfire later. I'm here for the long term," said Jonassen.

"I don't look back on 2025 as a great year. It might not satisfy the fans, but it doesn't satisfy me either because I have bigger ambitions and dreams."

Jonassen said while he remains patient, he expects a stronger work ethic from his players.

"Your ability to put in the biggest effort on a daily basis is what makes the difference.

"Talent only opens the door. My goals were not reached at all last year, but I have a better understanding of why they weren't and the areas where we need to improve," he said.

To support this long-term growth, Jonassen has restructured his coaching set-up to better integrate junior and senior development.

Current junior singles head coach Tey Seu Bock is expected to move up to the senior men's singles squad.

There is also speculation that Yeoh Kay Bin will join the department after he parts ways with independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia following next week's Malaysia Open.

The current coaching roster includes K. Yogendran and Alvin Chew (men's singles), Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (women's singles), and Misbun Ramdan (juniors).

Jun Hao is the only BA of Malaysia shuttler competing in the Malaysia Open, where he faces China's Wang Zheng Xing in the first round.