A 16-year-old national-level basketball player from India, Hardik, died in a tragic accident in Rohtak, Haryana, after a basketball pole collapsed on him during practice.
According to Indian media, Hardik had been training at a court in Lakhan Majra when the pole—apparently not secured properly—toppled forward and crushed him. His friends rushed to help, but the teenager could not be saved.
CCTV footage shows Hardik practising alone, running from the three-point line and jumping to touch the basket rim, a routine drill to improve scoring skills. His first attempt was completed without incident. On the second, as he grabbed the rim, the improperly installed pole uprooted and fell directly onto his chest. Friends lifted it immediately, but Hardik succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Neighbours said Hardik had recently been selected for the national team and had just returned from a training camp. His father, Sandeep Rathi, had enrolled him and his younger brother at a nearby sports club. Police conducted a post-mortem and handed the body to the family, while a case has been registered.
Shockingly, this incident comes only days after a similar tragedy in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, where 15-year-old Aman died when a basketball pole collapsed during practice. Aman suffered severe internal injuries and passed away at Rohtak’s Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. His family accused doctors of failing to provide adequate treatment. Aman had recently won a medal in his school’s annual sports event.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini said he would examine the matter and take appropriate action. Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar called the incident “unfortunate” and announced that a detailed investigation would follow. He added that he would write to District Education Officers and the Education Minister to obtain a full account of the situation.
