Danish legend Frost to coach South Africa
30/03/2001 : Badminton South Africa has announced the appointment of Denmark's Morten Frost as its new director of performance.

Frost, who was the most capped Danish badminton player, with 78 appearances during his professional career, spent twelve years in the top three men's singles world rankings. He then moved on to an acclaimed career as a coach, both for his home country and Malaysia.

Based in Cape Town, Frost will be involved in development, coaching structure, and working with the junior players, as well as the elite national team.

During his tenure as coach, the Danish national squad achieved over 20 major international wins, including an Olympic gold medal in 1996, six gold medals and three silver medals at the European Championships in 1996, the men's singles titles at the 1995 and 1996 All England Championships, and a gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the World Championships in 1995.

When he moved on to coach the Malaysian team in 1997, he again scored outstanding success, crowned by their achievement of three gold and four silver medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Larry Keys, president of Badminton South Africa, said: "Badminton South Africa is extremely grateful to NOCSA [National Olympic Committee of South Africa] for making it possible to acquire one of the best and most respected coaches in the world. Morten Frost will, no doubt, not only raise the standard of our elite players, but have a positive influence throughout the organisation, including at grassroots development level."

Sam Ramsamy, president of NOCSA, added: "Badminton is a very important component of the Olympic Games. The acquisition Mr Morten Frost, one of the best coaches in the world, will ensure that not only is South Africa represented in badminton at the 2004 Athens Games, but will ensure that our athletes can match the high standards of the sport internationally."

"I'm looking forward to working in South Africa and to tackling this new challenge," said Frost.

"I come from a country where badminton is much more established as a game, but I'm very excited by the opportunity to advance the sport in another country."