Deaths on the Court, Silence in the System: Haryana's Sports Grounds Fail its Young Athletes |
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Bahadurgarh, Rohtak: In Haryana, a state renowned for producing one of the highest numbers of medal-winning athletes at national and international levels, the dilapidated condition of basic sports facilities has recently led to the deaths of two young players. Sixteen-year-old Hardik Rathi from Rohtak and 15-year-old Aman from Bahadurgarh both lost their lives due to the negligence of a system that has failed to ensure a safe and improved training environment for its athletes.
Hardik, hailing from Rohtak, had dreams of establishing himself in the world of basketball, aspiring to reach the heights of American stars such as LeBron and Bronny James. He passed away on November 25.
Hardik was a national-level player who had won several medals. According to his father, basketball was Hardik’s life. It is tragically ironic that his death was caused by a dilapidated basketball pole that had once inspired him to strive for greatness.
Lakhan Majra village in Haryana, known for producing several national-level basketball and kabaddi players over the years, came into the spotlight only after Hardik lost his life when a basketball pole collapsed at the village’s youth sports club.
Mohit Rathi, Hardik’s coach, told The Wire Hindi that the sports facility falls under the jurisdiction of the panchayat (village council), yet it has not received maintenance for several years. Villagers frequently collect donations to carry out minor repairs, but despite repeated requests to the administration, conditions have not improved.
Hardik’s coach, Mohit Rathi. Photo: Sonia Yadav/The Wire Hindi
Describing the day of the accident, the coach said, “At approximately 10:00–10:30 am, Hardik arrived at the ground for his usual practice. The other children were getting ready for their warm-up. Hardik was playing by himself on the court when, shortly thereafter, a pole fell on him, rendering him unconscious. He was rushed to hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.”
The coach stated that the basketball poles were installed between 2008 and 2009 and had not received any maintenance since then.
The poles, which have since been removed, were corroded and in a state of disrepair. The photographs speak for themselves.
The basketball court of the youth sports club where Hardik’s accident occurred. Photo: Sonia Yadav/The Wire
A political tug-of-war has since emerged over the ground and the circumstances surrounding Hardik’s death. Politicians have made frequent visits to the site. While the state sports department suspended some officials, it also claimed that the accident site was not under its jurisdiction.
Members of Parliament from both ruling and........