Long distance running coach Nikolai returns to India

Long distance running coach Nikolai Snesarev of Belarus, who left India after a row with Sports Authority of India over his pay hike demand in 2011, is set to return to the country after nearly three years to take charge till the Asian Games in September.
Nikolai, who had shaped long distance runners Preeja Sreedharan, Sudha Singh and Kavita Raut into 2010 Asian Games medal winners, will reach India tomorrow along with his wife, who is also a qualified masseur, after SAI cleared their appointments.
"Nikolai is landing here tomorrow. He is coming along with his wife and both will be employed by SAI," a top official of the Athletics Federation of India told PTI.

"Both of them have been given a contract till the end of the Asian Games. If their performance was satisfactory, their contracts can be extended till the 2016 Rio Olympics," he said.
The official said that Nikolai and his wife will get a better pay from the SAI than the last salary they drew.
"Of course, he is coming here as the salary is more than what he got last time."

The official said Nikolai will be based in Bangalore SAI Centre as he wants to train the long distance runners there.
Nikolai had decided not to return to India in May 2011 after the SAI refused to agree to a salary hike he demanded.

Nikolai had demanded a substantial hike in his pay if his contract was to be renewed to be part of the athletics coaching staff to prepare for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
He wanted USD 8,000 per month instead of the USD 5,000 he was getting. He also wanted his wife to be employed by SAI.
SAI, on the other hand, was not ready to give Nikolai more than USD 6,000 per month, a hike of USD 1,000, besides offering USD 2,000 for his wife to which the coach refused.