Nikolai's arrival forcing Indian coaches out?

BANGALORE: Hurt and humiliated by the unwelcome behaviour of Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials, veteran coaches JS Bhatia and Renu Kohli have decided to pack their bags and leave the ongoing national athletics coaching camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) South Centre in Kengeri.
The trouble for the duo began after Belarussian coach Nikolai Snesarev arrived here a fortnight ago to take charge of the middle and long distance runners who have been training with their Indian coaches for the last four years.
"We are happy that we are leaving behind a good base for Nikolai to work on. Our athletes will surely win medals at the Asian Games but no one will recognize our contribution. It is sad but true that for months AFI did not pay heed to the requirements we listed, but they act in a jiffy whenever foreign coaches demand anything," a dejected Bhatia told TOI.
"I'm working with the athletes since 2010. Nikolai was not there as he was bargaining for higher wages. With just basic facilities and without spending crores of rupees, I managed to improve Asian Games champion Sudha Singh's time from around 9 minutes 56 seconds to 9:45s (steeple chase).
"The Federation doesn't need my services anymore. I'm without any athletes to train," Bhatia lamented.
"The AFI has not asked us to leave the camp. But without anyone to train it would be a shame for us to continue like this. That's why we have decided to leave," said Bhatia, who has reserved his train tickets for Lucknow and will leave on Thursday.
While Dronacharya awardee Bhatia was training Sudha and fellow Asiad champ Kavita Raut, Kohli - also a Dronacharya winner - was looking after Sushma Devi and Jhuma Khatun.
AFI's decision has really upset the veteran coach, who is due to retire this November. "I began coaching in 1981. In my career that extends three decades, I coached several top athletes, including PT Usha (during her second stint), Shiny Wilson, Bahadur Prasad and Gulab Chand," Bhatia said.
According to sources, top athletes are also disappointed that Bhatia won't be there with them in the camp.
The other athletes who are now training under Snesarev are Preeja Sreedharan, Monica Atare, Lalita Babar, Pankaj Dimri, Suresh Kumar Patel and Indrajit Patel. "They didn't train with him for nearly a week and relented only after AFI threatened to take action," sources said. Incidentally, Bhatia had a stormy relationship with Snesarev during his previous stint. "The two almost came to blows after a heated argument in 2010," sources added.