KUALA LUMPUR: It is still early days, but Indonesian Jeffer Rosobin is slowly shaping up the national development players at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
Since his arrival late last year, Malaysian junior players have done well at the Dutch and German Juniors, and more recently junior doubles pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing won their maiden senior title when they came out tops at the Thailand International Challenge in Korat.
Jeffer said it is crucial to implement a certain philosophy when it comes to developing young players.
"What I want to implement is strong discipline, character, positive attitude and mindset.
"So far, things are going well, and I hope to see the players reflecting all they have learned at the Asian and World Junior Championships this year," said Jeffer, who is known to be the man behind the rise of Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
Once considered a powerhouse in world junior badminton, Malaysia have lost their stranglehold in recent years.
At the World Junior Championships last year in the United States, Malaysia settled for three bronze medals in the mixed team event, boys' doubles and mixed doubles.
The last time Malaysia won gold at the world junior meet was in 2018 through Goh Jin Wei (girls' singles).
The Asian Junior Championships are scheduled in Bali on June 28-July 7, while the World Junior Championships will be in held in Nanchang, China on Sep 30-Oct 13.