Lack of infrastructure forces India Athletics coach Nikolai Snesarev to submit resignation letter

Snesarev is the main reson behind OP Jaisha’s success

Indian Athletics has suffered a massive setback to it’s 2016 Rio Olympic preparations as renowned long distance running coach Dr. Nikolai Snesarev has sent his resignation to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). He has cited poor infrastructure and a lack of facilities as the reason for his premature departure.

After taking up the job early this year in February, Snesarev confirmed to Sportskeeda, that he has filed his resignation. The 67-year old Belarus stated that he had sent his resignation letter, five to six days ago, activating clause 21 of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) constitution. He was contracted till the end of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

A disappointed Snesarev told Sporskeeda, “How long do you expect me to get results with this kind of infrastructure? I will not work with these existent facilities, I have written to them 5-6 days back, I will be ending my association with them, by the end of this month.” Currently overlooking the available talent at the 55th National Open Athletics meet at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kolkata, he made it clear that there is no other option, but termination.

Snesarev had rejoined the Indian team, after parting ways with them, prior to the 2012 London Olympics, where he cited payments as the main problem. He is considered to be the main reason behind O P Jaisha (Long distance) and Lalita Babar’s (Steeplechase) success. However, Snesarev seemed quite skeptical about their chances at the Olympics, he said, “You really think with the facilities AFI is providing us we can win medals? I expect a big zero at the Rio Olympics this time, like every year.”

Not lack of talent, lack of good administrators is the problem: Dr Nikolai Snesarev

On being asked why that was the case, he responded, “the problem lies in how the athletics is being run in the country, it is not the dearth of talent prevalent here.” AFI officials declined to comment on the issue. However, one of the senior officials stated that, they haven’t received any such letter yet.

There has been visible improvement under Snesarev’s watchful eyes, with Lalita Babar smashing her own National record at the IAAF World Championships and finishing eighth at the event. She also became the only the fourth India, after Anju George (Long jump), Inderjeet Singh (Short put) and Vikas Gowda (Discus).

Snesarev is widely revered for consistently creating world champions, around the globem, his departure could be the final nail in the coffin for Indian athletics’ Olympic prospects.