AFI to push for renewal of Nikolai`s contract: Sources

Following Indian middle distance runners` stupendous show in Asian Games, the Athletics Federation of India will push for renewal of coach Nikolai Snesarev`s contract till the London Olympics in front of the Sports Ministry.

New Delhi: Following Indian middle distance runners` stupendous show in Asian Games, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will push for renewal of coach Nikolai Snesarev`s contract till the London Olympics when the matter comes up before the Sports Ministry this week.

Top AFI officials told PTI that Nikolai`s contract will be renewed till the 2012 London Olympics as he has produced results. "We have more or less decided to ask the government to renew Nikolai`s contract till the London Olympics. But it is for the government to take a final decision," the source said. "We have a meeting with the officials of Sports Ministry and SAI in December 3 and a decision will be taken after that," said the source. Nikolai had expressed his desire to continue at his job, saying that he wants to prepare the Indian athletes as medal prospects in the London Olympics. India`s middle-distance runners performed beyond expectations by bagging two gold, two silver and one bronze at the Asian Games in Guanghzou. Preeja Sreedharan won a gold in women`s 10,000m and silver in 5,000m races while Sudha Singh won another yellow metal in 3000m steeple chase. Kavita Raut won a silver in 10,000m and a bronze in 3,000m races. PTI