The Haryana Sports Department has suspended Rohtak’s District Sports Officer and temporarily shut the district’s basketball nursery after two teenagers died in separate pole-collapse incidents at government sports facilities within 48 hours. The back-to-back fatalities, first in Bahadurgarh and then in Rohtak, have triggered a statewide safety review and urgent action from the Sports Department.
State Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam took “strict cognisance” of the Rohtak accident, calling it the second such tragedy caused by dilapidated equipment. He also convened a high-level meeting on November 28 at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, summoning senior departmental officials and all district sports officers.
In an urgent circular, the department termed the two deaths “serious and unfortunate” and directed all district sports officers to personally inspect every stadium and training facility under their jurisdiction.
Immediate personal inspection of all sports complexes and stadiums.
Instant removal of any damaged, dilapidated or risky sports equipment.
Closure of unsafe buildings or infrastructure used by athletes.
Urgent repairs or renovation using District Sports Council funds, or coordination with PWD/Haryana Sports and Physical Fitness Authority where funds have already been released.
Zero tolerance for use of unsafe facilities.
Personal responsibility of officers for any lapse.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday morning in Rohtak, where a 16-year-old national-level basketball player died after an iron pole collapsed on him during solo practice.
The CCTV footage shows the 16-year-old player attempting a dunk during solo practice at the Lakhan Majra sports ground around 10 am. As he hung from the rim, the iron pole suddenly gave way and fell on him, striking his chest. Fellow players rushed to lift the pole, but he succumbed to injuries during treatment at a hospital.
The victim, a decorated young athlete, had won medals at the 47th Sub-Junior National Championship (Kangra), 49th Sub-Junior Nationals (Hyderabad) and the 39th Youth Nationals (Puducherry).
The tragedy has sparked outrage as it came just two days after another similar accident in Bahadurgarh, where a 15-year-old boy died after a basketball pole collapsed on him while practising at the Hoshiar Singh Sports Stadium. He, too, was admitted to PGI Rohtak but could not be saved.
Together, the two incidents have raised serious questions about the state of sports infrastructure and maintenance oversight in Haryana. The upcoming November 28 meeting is expected to focus on systemic lapses, accountability and urgent reforms in sports facilities across districts.
