National coaching director Rexy Mainaky with new BAM singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen during the press conference at Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
BAM singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen is exploring ways to strengthen the men’s singles department, including offering independent shuttlers a path back into the national setup.
Players such as Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Jacky Kok and Lee Jan Jireh — all of whom have shown improved results since leaving BAM — may be invited for trials or joint-training sessions.
With the senior squad currently limited to Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Eogene Ewe and Kong Zhou Swin, and Ng Tze Yong still recovering from ACL surgery, Jonassen aims to expand the training pool by adding both independent and junior players.
He said potential returnees will undergo a two-week trial focusing on daily performance, commitment and discipline rather than world rankings. Jonassen emphasised that maturity, consistency and ambition matter more than age.
Aidil has already started joint training ahead of the Thailand SEA Games, but Jonassen acknowledged that full-time returns may be complicated due to sponsorships and personal career goals.
Ultimately, his priority is to raise the overall standard of Malaysian men’s singles through stronger training competition and collaboration between BAM and independents.
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