In a tragic accident on November 25, 2025, 16-year-old national basketball player Hardik Rathi lost his life during practice at a sports ground in Lakhan Majra, Rohtak, Haryana, when a rusted basketball pole collapsed on his chest. Despite immediate help from friends and emergency responders, Hardik could not be saved.
The incident prompted the suspension of the Rohtak district sports officer and the temporary closure of the sports nursery. Authorities launched a high-level inquiry into the negligence of maintaining sports infrastructure. The incident has shocked the sports community and raised urgent calls for better safety measures in sports facilities.
This tragic incident was not isolated. Just two days earlier, 15-year-old Aman tragically lost his life when a basketball hoop pole collapsed on him during practice at Hoshiar Singh Stadium in Bahadurgarh. Both incidents, occurring within a span of 48 hours, have sent shockwaves throughout Haryana’s sports community.
These back-to-back tragedies have heightened concern and sparked urgent questions about the quality and safety of sports infrastructure maintained in the state, exposing glaring lapses that demand immediate attention and corrective action to prevent further loss of young talent.
Tragic Mishap Shines Light on Infrastructure Neglect
Hardik, recently returned from a national training camp, was practising alone when the accident occurred. CCTV footage captures him running from the three-point line, jumping to touch the basket as part of his drills. As he hung on the rim during one of these jumps, the rusted iron pole collapsed catastrophically.
Family and local residents stated that several complaints about the unsafe and deteriorated condition of the basketball pole had been ignored. This fatal mishap exposes deep flaws in maintenance protocols at government sports facilities, highlighting the urgent need for inspections and repairs to prevent such avoidable incidents.
Official Responses and Broader Context
Haryana, known as the “Sports Capital of India” due to its production of top athletes, has faced a grim reckoning from this event. Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam promptly suspended the district sports officer responsible for the Rohtak sports complex and ordered a comprehensive investigation.
The sports nursery at Lakhan Majra was shuttered temporarily to safeguard athletes. The state Olympic association and other officials have expressed condolences, promising stricter enforcement of safety norms and protocols in sports infrastructure.
The incident has sparked political discussions, with opposition parties demanding accountability and systematic reforms in sports facility management.
Immediate Safety Reforms and Audits Underway
Following the tragic deaths of two young basketball players within days, Hardik Rathi in Rohtak and another 15-year-old named Aman in Bahadurgarh, Haryana authorities have launched a comprehensive safety crackdown across all sports facilities in the state.
The government has ordered immediate removal of all unsafe and sub-standard sports equipment, suspending operations in affected complexes until repairs are completed. District sports officers have been directed to personally inspect every stadium and training centre, ensuring no athlete faces hazards due to neglected infrastructure.
These reforms signal a zero-tolerance stance on negligence, aiming to restore confidence in Haryana’s sports environment while honouring the memory of the young athletes lost to preventable accidents.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Hardik Rathi’s untimely death is a heartrending reminder that safeguarding athletes’ lives must be paramount in sports development policies. While nurturing talent to represent the nation remains critical, it cannot come at the cost of compromised safety.
The Logical Indian urges government authorities, sports federations, and local communities to collaborate in enforcing rigorous safety standards and regular maintenance checks across all sports facilities. This tragedy must become a turning point catalysing reform and empathy in how young sportspeople’s wellbeing is protected.
It’s not death, it’s murder, negligence and apathy killed this talented young athlete from Haryana. A basketball pole took the life of Hardik Rathi, on the court itself. RIP pic.twitter.com/FFZ7pd7ApF
— Sanjay Kishore (@saintkishore) November 26, 2025
