Neglected stadium claims life of 16-year-old player in Rohtak

A 16-year-old national-level basketball player, Hardik Rathi, died on Tuesday after a rusted iron pole of a basketball hoop collapsed on him during practice at Lakhan Majra village in Rohtak district. The incident has triggered outrage in the region, with locals and political leaders blaming administrative negligence and years of ignored maintenance at the government sports facility.

According to Lakhan Majra Police Station House Officer Samarjeet Singh, Hardik was practising a dunk when the weakened pole gave way. CCTV footage shows the Class 10 student taking a leap toward the hoop and hanging from it before the corroded structure fell, fatally striking him in the chest. His friends rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Hardik, son of government employee Sandeep Rathi, had been training at a nearby basketball academy along with his brother and had recently returned from a national training camp. A rising talent, he had bagged medals at several prestigious tournaments, including the 47th Sub-Junior National Championship in Kangra, the 49th Sub-Junior National Championship in Hyderabad, and the 39th Youth National Championship in Puducherry. Family members said he had recently been selected for the Indian basketball team.

Residents of Lakhan Majra alleged that the tragedy was the result of long-pending maintenance work at the stadium, even though funds had been sanctioned years earlier. They said former Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda had allocated more than ₹18.5 lakh from the MPLAD fund for the stadium’s upkeep, but the panchayati raj department failed to utilise the money.

Reacting strongly, Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda blamed the BJP-led state government and the administrative machinery for “systemic corruption” and for failing to improve sports infrastructure. “I had released ₹18.5 lakh for the maintenance of Lakhan Majra stadium, but the money was not spent by officials. Hardik’s death exposes the apathy and failure of the government. He was recently selected for the Indian basketball team, and his dreams of winning a medal for the nation have been shattered,” Hooda said.

Suspended Rohtak district sports officer Anoop Singh said the sports department had already released ₹2.1 crore to the Public Works Department for maintenance of 14 stadiums in the district, but the tender process had not been completed. Villagers claimed they had even met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini three months ago, seeking urgent repairs.

Chief Minister Saini, when asked about the incident, said he was not aware of the details but promised to review the matter. “I will gather all the details and comment after reviewing the case,” he told reporters in Chandigarh.

Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar termed the deaths “unfortunate” and assured a detailed investigation.

The tragedy follows another similar incident just two days earlier in Jhajjar’s Bahadurgarh, where a 15-year-old player, Aman, was critically injured when a basketball pole fell on him at Hoshiar Singh Sports Stadium. He died during treatment on Monday night. In response, Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam suspended the district sports officer and called a meeting of district sports officials on November 28.

The back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about the condition of sports infrastructure in Haryana, considered one of India’s leading sporting states. Locals and parents have demanded immediate audits of stadiums and playgrounds, proper utilisation of sanctioned funds, and accountability from officials responsible for maintenance lapses.

Hardik Rathi’s death, they say, is a grim reminder of the risks young athletes face when training in poorly maintained government facilities despite their dedication, talent and national aspirations.