CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday extended condolences to the families of two teenage basketball players who lost their lives in separate training-ground accidents earlier this week. The incidents occurred in Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar district) and Lakhan Majra (Rohtak district), where both players were fatally injured after basketball poles collapsed during practice.
The victims — identified as Aman from Bahadurgarh and Hardik from Lakhan Majra — were reportedly engaged in routine training when the structures gave way. Local authorities said both accidents happened under unexpected circumstances, prompting questions about the upkeep of sports infrastructure.
Calling the deaths “heart-rending,” Saini announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh each for the families. In his statement, he emphasized that the state “stands firmly with the bereaved families during this difficult time.”
The Chief Minister also directed the Sports Department to initiate a comprehensive review of sports facilities across Haryana. Officials have been instructed to examine the condition of equipment, ensure timely maintenance and take corrective measures wherever necessary.
Saini underscored that athlete safety is a “non-negotiable priority” for his administration and urged district-level authorities to prevent any recurrence of such incidents. An internal report is expected once inspections have been completed.
