Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set a joint national pole vault record of 5.45 meters [1] during the 2026 Federation Cup.

The incident has sparked public outcry over the lack of logistical support for elite athletes in India, highlighting a gap between sporting achievement and institutional care.

The record-breaking jumps took place at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Bhubaneswar [1], [2]. Shortly after the event, the athletes were seen transporting their long poles in an e-rickshaw [2], [3]. The sight of national record holders hauling specialized equipment in a small motorized rickshaw led to widespread criticism on social media regarding the treatment of Indian sports stars.

Lack of official transport support forced the athletes to move their equipment themselves [2], [3]. This is not an isolated instance of transport difficulty for pole vaulters in the region. Other reports indicate that Kavinraja S, a 20-year-old [4] athlete who won the U20 Federation Cup in 2025 [5], was previously forced off a train and left stranded at a railway station for 12 hours [5] because he was unable to carry his equipment on board.

While the current incident in Bhubaneswar involved the use of an e-rickshaw, other reports from earlier this year suggest similar struggles occurred at Mumbai's Panvel station [6]. The recurring nature of these transport hurdles suggests a systemic failure in how the federation manages the movement of oversized athletic gear.

Despite the logistical failures, the athletic performance of Meena and Kumar marks a significant milestone for the sport in India. The joint height of 5.45 meters [1] establishes a new benchmark for the national record, though the athletes' departure from the stadium overshadowed the victory.

“Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set a joint national pole vault record of 5.45 meters”

The contrast between a national record and the use of an e-rickshaw for transport underscores a systemic failure in India's athletic infrastructure. While athletes are reaching world-class heights, the lack of basic logistical support, such as specialized transport for oversized equipment, creates physical and mental burdens that can hinder long-term performance and professional development.