Kuala lumpur: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is open to having professional shuttlers train together or spar with national players in an effort to strengthen the men’s singles department. BAM singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen admitted that professional shuttlers, like world number 49 Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and 68th-ranked Jacky Kok, have produced some encouraging results this season, thus proving that they can be considered for the joint training sessions to further strengthen the national squad.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jonassen has looked at various angles regarding all the independent (professional) players. He acknowledged that these players might have signed contracts with different sponsors and have different objectives. He emphasized that the decision to join joint training sessions is up to the players themselves. “The players, if they want, can come and try out,” he said when met at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.

The Dane expressed his preparedness to accept any outside player to join the governing body, either permanently or through collaboration, for joint training sessions from time to time. He stressed that the main goal is to raise the level of the Malaysian men’s singles shuttlers. Despite the competition in tournaments, Jonassen believes that collaborative training is crucial for maintaining national strength.

Jonassen also noted that having national and professional shuttlers participate in joint training sessions is one of the best methods to elevate the men’s singles department back to a high standard. The national men’s singles shuttlers have faced a challenging season, with Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh frequently experiencing early exits in international tournaments.