National Record, Yet No Support: The Struggle of Bhopal's Pole Vaulters Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar
At the Athletics Federation Cup held in Ranchi, Bhopal-based athletes Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar made history by setting a new national record in the men's pole vault event. Both athletes cleared an impressive height of 5.45 meters—a significant achievement for Indian athletics.
However, the celebration was short-lived. Just hours after winning medals and breaking records, both athletes were spotted transporting their fiberglass poles on an e-rickshaw to return to their hotel.
Lack of basic amenities and support provided to top-tier athletes
On Tuesday, a photograph of Dev and Kuldeep went viral on social media, showing them struggling to load their nearly 5-meter-long poles onto a small vehicle. The image sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the lack of basic amenities and support provided to top-tier athletes representing the country.
Both athletes have qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games
What made the situation even more poignant was the fact that both athletes have already qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, starting July 23.
Transportation from one place to another a major challenge
Pole vault poles are highly specialized pieces of sports equipment. They are extremely long, fragile, and expensive, making their transportation from one place to another a major challenge. Even a minor scratch or slight pressure can damage a pole and adversely affect an athlete's performance. Despite this, the athletes were left to arrange for the transportation of their equipment themselves.
Dev Kumar Meena won the gold
Although both athletes cleared the same height of 5.45 meters, Dev Kumar Meena won the gold medal, while Kuldeep Kumar had to settle for the silver. According to athletics regulations, when two athletes clear the same height, the winner is determined based on who achieved that height in the fewest attempts.
Were asked to disembark from the train
This was not the first time these athletes faced difficulties due to their equipment. Earlier this year, while returning from the All India Inter-University Championships, they were reportedly asked to disembark from a train at Panvel station. Railway officials had objected to the transportation of such long poles inside passenger coaches.
This incident caught the attention of Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Vishwas Sarang, who subsequently assured the athletes that he would speak with railway officials and assist them in securing the necessary permissions to carry their poles during future journeys.
Who is Dev Kumar Meena?
19-year-old Dev Kumar Meena hails from Silphodkheda village in the Khategaon tehsil of Madhya Pradesh. He is regarded as one of India's most promising young pole vaulters.
Earlier this year, in February, Dev broke his own national record by clearing a height of 5.32 meters during the Uttarakhand National Games. Subsequently, in April, he improved upon this record at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships, reaching a height of 5.35 meters, before executing a historic jump of 5.45 meters in Ranchi.