Kenneth Jonassen, the national singles director, has asked the Malaysian players to take ownership of their game if they want to reach the top.
The Danish coach joined Badminton Association Of Malaysia (BAM) on January 4. He is adapting to the new role while trying to bring in some Danish philosophy.
Jonnassen observed that their is no technical difference between the players but their is a gulf in mentality.
“I don’t see a huge gap in ability, but the mindset is different. I want players who take responsibility — not just for their own training, but in how they communicate and grow as a team,” he told the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
In Denmark, the training sessions are short and intense, while in Malaysian sessions are longer. He wants to develop a mix of both worlds for his Malaysian men’s singles players.
“We’ve tweaked the intensity slightly, but the key is quality — how players manage each session with total focus,” he explained.
“At the highest level, matches are long and brutal, so players must learn to control every aspect of their game under pressure.”
Jonnassen believes is coaching more than just tactics and drills. “I take inspiration from the players’ ambitions, but they need to bring that drive every day, not just when we discuss it. They must show commitment in every session,” he said.
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