The nation’s elite pole vaulters, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Yadav, were dislodged from a train and stranded for hours after for carrying ‘authorised luggage’ at Panvel Railway Station. India aims to host the 2036 Olympics while their own athletes face distress and insult every step off the field.
While travelling to Bhopal following the All India Inter-University Athletics Championships in Bengaluru, the duo encountered an issue. A Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) flagged their pole vault poles, which are specialised, five-metre-long equipment costing nearly Rs 2 lakh each, deeming the essential gear “unauthorised luggage”.
This incident following the fragile sports equipment sparked outrage among people, questioning their readiness to host elite events like the 2036 Olympics.
At the station the athletes were dislodged while their clarifications and pleas to talk to senior officers remained dead to the ears. The offer to pay an immediate fine was dismissed as well.
In a video shared by NNIS Sports, Dev Meena, the national record holder, sagely stated, “We have been kept waiting here for four to five hours. If this is happening to us, what should I expect for my juniors?”
Their impasse lasted long enough to miss the connecting train. While eventually, through thorough negotiation, the athletes were allowed to board a train, it came with serious conditions. They were admonished that even a single complaint from the passengers could cause serious action for them. It goes without saying, a pole is non-negotiable for the pole vaulters. Unlike a bat or racquet, a pole is custom-made for the athlete’s weight and jump height.
The gold winner in Bengaluru, Kuldeep Yadav, conveyed his frustrations, stating, “The same problem occurs in flights, the same problem occurs in trains. Where will the athlete go? We need space to travel. Even if it costs us money, we will pay for it, but our equipment must be carried properly.”
Meena further stated, “Everyone expects us to qualify for the Asian Games,” Meena noted. “But we have finished the game now. We are just sitting here waiting to see if anyone can help us.”
The incident further exposed the glaring apathetic condition of the athletes in this country. While the elite sports enjoy all the limelight, these voices die out of trend.
