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 HindiDescribing 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 WireA 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 opposition parties are trading accusations over the use of MPLADS funds, maintenance responsibilities and infrastructure budgets.Several people present, including the coach, said that funds amounting to lakhs of rupees had been allocated for the area by Rohtak Member of Parliament Deepender Hooda, yet no visible progress was made. Local residents say their complaints to the administration were repeatedly ignored.‘No facilities are available for playing sports,’ complain youthThe Wire Hindi spoke to several young people who play on the field, all of whom reported a lack of basic sports facilities. Garbage is piled up outside, while inside the premises, the tracks are dusty and damaged. There are no drinking water facilities. Children bring their own water, pool money to buy balls and assemble their own kits. Coaches and villagers contribute whatever they can from their own pockets.Security at the field is also inadequate. Kabaddi players reported that stray dogs roam freely and have attacked children. After dusk, drug users and alcoholics often occupy the area. Lighting is inconsistent, and although some CCTV cameras have been installed, they offer limited security.Ironically, it was CCTV footage that revealed the circumstances of Hardik’s death. Two days earlier, a similar incident had occurred just 41 kilometres away in Bahadurgarh, where Aman was killed, yet news of that incident barely reached the public.Reflecting on this, Mohit Rathi said, “Had we known about Aman’s death earlier, perhaps Hardik would still be alive. We would have been more alert and ensured all the poles here were inspected.”It is deeply ironic that in Haryana, a state celebrated for sporting excellence, district-level sports grounds continue to suffer from a lack of basic facilities. While promises of cash rewards, government jobs and honours for medal winners abound, little attention is paid to corroded poles, crumbling tracks and makeshift arrangements.Also read: India’s Women Olympians on the Pavement Again: Where Are Those Who Are Proud of Them?‘Aman’s life revolved around his sport’Aman, a Class 10 student, practised basketball daily at the Shaheed Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Stadium in Bahadurgarh. On November 23, he suffered severe injuries when a basketball pole collapsed during practice. He later died during treatment, first at the civil hospital and then at PGI Rohtak.Speaking to The Wire Hindi, Aman’s mother, Kanta Devi, said he constantly spoke about winning. “His world revolved around the sport. Even during family gatherings or weddings, he was focused on his game.”Aman’s mother, Kanta Devi. Photo: Sonia Yadav/The Wire HindiShe added that Aman never wasted time and won several school medals. “But whenever he got a silver medal, he refused to display it at home. He always said he would bring back gold.”Aman’s father, Suresh Kumar, a contract worker at a DRDO office in Delhi, said he remains in shock. He believes his son’s death was the result of administrative negligence.Recalling the day of the accident, he said, “It was Sunday, November 23. Aman went to play around 2 pm. We asked him to stay back because there was a family gathering, but he refused to miss practice. Shortly after he left, his friend called to say Aman had been injured.”He added that Aman was taken first to the civil hospital in Bahadurgarh and then to PGI Rohtak, a journey of nearly one and a half hours. “He was conscious the entire time and had no external injuries. But after reaching PGI, he was left untreated for nearly an hour and a half. His condition worsened, and he died.”Aman’s cousin Rohit alleged medical negligence, claiming doctors at the trauma centre ignored repeated pleas for help. He further claimed that after he protested, hospital officials contacted him seeking a settlement and asked him not to pursue the complaint.The Wire Hindi contacted PGI Rohtak for clarification, emailing questions to the director and superintendent. No response had been received at the time of publication. The report will be updated if a response is received.Rohit also pointed out discrepancies in Aman’s post-mortem report, which allegedly listed Aman as female, recorded his age as 25 instead of 15, and noted the time of his admission as midnight.He cited another incident at the same stadium in 2022, where a child sustained injuries while playing basketball and has yet to fully recover.Aman’s family is urging the administration to improve playground conditions so that no other child suffers a similar fate.The youth sports club in Rohtak and the Shaheed Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Stadium in Bahadurgarh. Photo: Sonia Yadav/The WireNo proper sports facilities at the stadiumThe Wire Hindi also visited the stadium where Aman was injured. Located opposite Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School, founded in 1928, the ground reportedly belongs to the school and remains open to all.Only one wrestling coach is officially posted there. Most children play without supervision. Following the incident, all basketball poles were removed, forcing children to use makeshift wooden poles.Daljit Singh, a former student and retired Haryana government official, said the site holds historical significance, having been associated with freedom fighters including Bhagat Singh. “After Independence, it has been completely neglected,” he said.Residents said the administration, which falls under the education department, has done little beyond cosmetic efforts.Also read: As Tokyo Olympics Approach, a Look at India’s Sporting PotentialThe local MLA, Rajesh Joon, told The Wire Hindi that the government stands with the affected families and that an investigation is underway. However, he also remarked that some events are “destined”, likening the incident to a road accident.Medals on walls, but desolate homesToday, the medals and trophies of Hardik and Aman hang silently in their homes, painful reminders of lives cut short.Both families have approached the police, though only Hardik’s father’s FIR has been registered. No updates have been provided to Aman’s family.Local journalists say the condition of sports facilities across Haryana mirrors what is seen in Rohtak and Bahadurgarh. Young athletes continue to demand basic amenities – level grounds, proper tracks, courts, water, toilets and regular coaching.Despite Haryana’s prominence in Indian sports, these tragedies have once again exposed the stark gap between medal-winning rhetoric and crumbling infrastructure.The Wire Hindi sent questions to Sunita Khatri, Deputy Director of Sports in Rohtak, and Vijay Singh Dahiya, Commissioner and Secretary of the Haryana Sports Department. No responses were received by publication time.Who is responsible?Congress MP Deepender Hooda blamed the BJP government for neglecting sports infrastructure, demanding Rs 1 crore compensation and government jobs for the families.He noted that Haryana received only Rs 66.59 crore from the Khelo India infrastructure fund, compared with Gujarat’s Rs 426.13 crore, despite Haryana winning far more medals.The sports minister countered these claims, citing increased cash rewards and recent repair allocations.For the families of Hardik and Aman, however, political arguments offer little comfort. They seek only basic safety measures so that no other child loses their life while playing.Translated from the original published in The Wire Hindi by Naushin Rehman.