16-year-old national basketball player dies after pole collapses in Haryana
Chandigarh: A tragic incident has shocked the sports community in Haryana after a 16-year-old national-level basketball player died when a pole collapsed on him while he was practicing alone on a basketball court in Rohtak.
The deceased athlete has been identified as Hardik, a promising young player who had represented the state at various levels. CCTV footage shows Hardik hanging momentarily from the basketball hoop when the entire pole suddenly gave way and fell directly on him. The impact left him critically injured.
Nearby players rushed to the spot immediately and shifted Hardik to a hospital. However, despite efforts, he succumbed to severe injuries. Dr. Samarjeet Singh, the medical officer who attended to him, confirmed that Hardik had suffered fatal internal injuries and could not be revived.
The incident triggered public outrage after the CCTV video went viral on social media. Many users criticized the government and sports authorities for the poor condition of sports infrastructure. One user on X wrote, “In our country, if you don’t play cricket, you’re just on your own. Other sports receive no facilities. Only the lucky ones succeed. A talented young basketball player has died on the court due to negligence.”
Reacting to the tragedy, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, “I will comment on the incident after collecting all necessary information,” indicating that the government is awaiting a detailed report.
In a swift response, the government has suspended the district sports officer pending further inquiry. Questions are now being raised about safety standards, maintenance of sports equipment and the accountability of officials responsible for athletes’ welfare.
Hardik’s death has triggered a renewed debate on the condition of sports infrastructure in India, especially for non-cricket disciplines. Athletes and parents are demanding strict action, inspections of all sports grounds and immediate repairs to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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