KUALA LUMPUR — Jeffer Rosobin, originally brought in to revitalise Malaysia’s junior badminton squad, now faces the added challenge of improving the underperforming national women’s team.
His first observation is that the women’s singles players lack the fitness needed to compete with the world’s best.
Drawing from his experience coaching Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Jeffer pointed out that while Malaysian players possess comparable skills, their physical condition is holding them back.
“I noticed that the players in the women’s squad need to be physically fit before we can improve their performance. I’ve just returned from Nanchang, so I need to assess their condition first.
“For me, there’s no difference—we just need to work harder if we want to improve performance. We need to understand that our women’s singles players must boost their fitness and physical condition.
“I believe if we can achieve that, everything else, such as technique and gameplay, will follow,” said Jeffer to Scoop.
He is also unbothered by the fact that the women’s singles squad will soon be reduced to just four players—K. Letshanaa, Siti Zulaikha Azmi, Wong Ling Ching, and Ong Xin Yee—after others are set to be released at the end of this month.
Jeffer, who has led the national junior team for less than a year, has already made significant strides.
In just seven months at the helm, he helped Malaysia secure one silver and three bronze medals at the Asian Junior Championships in Yogyakarta last July, breaking a two-year medal drought.
The highlight came last week in Nanchang, China, where Malaysia concluded the World Junior Championships on a high note.
Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing emerged as champions in men’s doubles, while Dania Sofea and Low Zi Yu finished as women’s doubles runners-up, alongside a bronze in the team event.
Now, as he steps into his new role as head coach of the women’s singles squad, Jeffer views this as the next challenge in his career.
“I’m satisfied with what I’ve achieved with the junior squad, and perhaps this new role with the women’s team will be a fresh challenge for me.
“As a coach, it doesn’t matter what category I’m assigned to; my job is to give my best.
“It’s definitely a challenge for me to take charge of the women’s single squad, and I need to work harder to ensure progress is made,” he added. — October 17, 2024