Federation Coaches

Federation Coaches are an important part of the Badminton Finland coaching system, with national Federation
Coaches playing a key role in the development pathway. The federation’s goal is to support and ensure the
quality and volume of daily training and physical activity, while enabling as many young athletes as possible to
progress along a pathway towards elite-level badminton. National Federation Coaches contribute to this
objective and work to advance Finnish badminton.

The following coaches have been appointed as Federation Coaches for the 2027-2028 term:
U11 – Nishant Kautekr
U13 – Ilari Nurmela and Sami Parikka
U15 – Sonja Diaz and Erik Li
U17 & U19 – Eetu Heino and Marko Pyykkönen

Badminton Finland Head Coach Nishant Kautekr commented on the appointments:

Training with these coaches will be a valuable experience for the players, most of whom already know them. They bring considerable experience and a strong passion for badminton.

The Federation Coaches will focus primarily on the national training camps, three of which are organized each year. In addition to these camps, the coaches support the federation in making selection decisions for major international competitions. It is therefore important that the newly appointed national squad coaches bring a diverse range of experience and expertise:

For example, Eetu Heino and Marko Pyykkönen are former elite players who have been involved in badminton and its development for many years. Ilari Nurmela and Sami Parika have also contributed significantly to the sport, developing many players and doing excellent work. Erik Li is young, passionate about badminton, and willing to work hard. Sonja Diaz brings elite playing experience, strong coaching education, and practical coaching experience. This combination of backgrounds and strengths makes the coaching team special,” Kautekr commented.

Badminton Finland's Head Coach has chosen to take on the role of coach for the U11 national squad. Previously, the national squad pathway began at the U13 level, making the U11 group a newly established addition to the national squad program.

“Personally, I have chosen to work with the youngest age groups to help identify talented players across Finland and nurture their development for the future,” Nishant said.

The newly appointed Federation Coaches will begin their work in January 2027, with the first national squad training camp taking place already at the beginning of the month.

Para Badminton Head Coach

Iivari Ikonen has been appointed as the Head Coach of Finland’s Para Badminton Team. He will begin his role in January 2027.

Ikonen currently serves as the personal coach of para badminton player Venla Salo and also coaches badminton at the Tuusula Sports Centre. Having completed the BWF Level 2 coaching certification, he brings 15 years of badminton coaching experience to the role.

Commenting on his appointment, Ikonen said:

I am extremely excited to begin my role as Head Coach of Finland’s Para Badminton Team. We have a very promising team, with the European and World Championships ahead of us, and of course the dream of competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. I want to do my part in advancing Finnish para badminton and increasing the visibility and appreciation of both para badminton and para sport in Finland. Success in elite sport, whether in para sport or able-bodied sport, requires hard work; without blood, sweat, and tears, there are no results.