Rohtak/Jhajjar: Grief hangs heavy over the homes of two promising young basketball players in Haryana — 16-year-old Hardik Rathi from Lakhan Majra and 15-year-old Aman from Bahadurgarh. Both boys died tragically after dilapidated basketball poles collapsed on them, exposing shocking negligence in sports infrastructure.
For Aman’s father, the most painful memory is his son’s final plea:
“Papa, please take me in your arms… I can’t bear this pain.”
Hardik’s home, on the other hand, has turned into a silent gallery where his medals now bring tears instead of pride.
Two Bright Futures Lost to Negligence
Haryana, a state celebrated for producing national and international athletes, is shaken by the deaths of these two young talents. Their dreams had just begun to take shape — dreams that were crushed under rusted, unsafe basketball poles weighing over 750 kilos.
Hardik: A National-Level Player Preparing for U-17 Championships
Hardik, studying at ITM Global School in Gwalior, had already made his mark at the national level. He had applied for a school leaving certificate on November 21 to return home and stay with his ailing mother.
But fate had other plans.
Last Thursday, while practicing at the Rohtak basketball court, a rusted, poorly maintained pole collapsed on Hardik’s chest. The impact was so severe that the 16-year-old died shortly afterwards. His medals, neatly arranged on the shelf at his home, now serve as reminders of a brilliant career that Haryana lost forever.
Aman: “Mom, have faith… I will make you proud”
In Bahadurgarh, balloons still hang on the walls of Aman’s house — decorations from his birthday on November 19. The 10th-grade student of Shrirama Bharti Public School was the only brother to his two sisters and the pride of his parents.
He never missed practice, even on busy days. On Sunday at 3 PM, he left for training at Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Stadium. Barely ten minutes later, the family received the devastating news — a basketball pole had fallen on him.
Aman suffered massive internal injuries when the heavy pole struck his abdomen. Despite being rushed first to a local hospital and then referred to PGI Rohtak, he succumbed within 24 hours.
His mother, Kanta Devi, still remembers his words:
“Mom, trust me… one day, I will make you proud.”
His father, Suresh Kumar, breaks down repeatedly as he recalls Aman’s last request in the hospital:
“Papa, take me in your lap… the pain is unbearable.”
Broken Poles and Unanswered Questions
Shockingly, even four days after the incident, the broken, rusted pole still lies inside the stadium — a silent testimony to gross negligence. Neither of the two accidents has led to decisive action so far.
Two young lives are gone. Two families shattered. A state known for producing champions is left asking:
Who is responsible for ensuring basic safety for our children?
And more importantly:
How many more Hardiks and Amans must we lose before the system wakes up?
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