KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian singles department might not be in the best condition right now, but the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has always had confidence in the credibility and abilities of singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen.
Speaking to Scoop today, BAM deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam said that the association is aware of the timing and situation regarding the Dane’s appointment, especially since the singles team was already lacking depth.
He said that they will continue to support him as he focuses on rebuilding the team for future success.
“Nobody questioned,” said Subramaniam, who also chairs BAM’s High Performance Committee.
“The management recognises that Kenneth joined during a period of restructuring in our singles department. We are completely behind Kenneth and will assist him in implementing his long-term strategies,” he said.
Earlier, former world No. 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei urged fans and observers to be fair to Jonassen, particularly at a time when the doubles department is enjoying considerable success on the international stage under doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
Chong Wei, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, also believes Jonassen should be given ample time — at least two Olympic cycles — to properly implement his vision for the singles programme.
For context, since taking up the role at the beginning of the year, Jonassen has faced a tough task. One of Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttlers, Ng Tze Yong, has been sidelined with a long-term injury, while former All England champion Lee Zii Jia had already turned independent before Jonassen’s arrival.
Chong Wei acknowledged that the current pool of talent, including Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, and Eogene Ewe, has yet to make a significant breakthrough, while the women’s singles players remain a work in progress.
To make matters more difficult, Zii Jia has also been struggling with injuries and has yet to make a comeback this year, having only featured in two tournaments so far.
This leaves Jonassen with his work cut out, especially with the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals (Denmark) and the Asian Games in Japan looming next year — both of which will require a strong singles line-up.
Tze Yong, who recently underwent ACL surgery at the renowned Aspetar Hospital in Qatar, is expected to be out of action for at least another year. — July 22, 2025