Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Haryana reshuffles sports officers after athlete deaths
In Haryana, India, two young basketball players died because some old iron poles in their basketball court fell on them.
After this sad event, the government decided to change the people in charge of sports.
They appointed new officers to make sure sports places are safe.
The new officers will also handle other important jobs in the government.
This change is part of a bigger plan to move many officers to different positions.
The opposition leader, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, blamed the current government for not taking care of the sports infrastructure and said they should be held responsible for the deaths.
He also criticized the government for not providing water from the SYL canal and being indecisive about Chandigarh's status.
Two athletes died in Haryana due to collapsing rusted iron poles in basketball courts.
The state government removed two top sports officers and appointed new ones.
Vijay Singh Dahiya is the new sports commissioner, replacing Navdeep Singh Virk.
Parth Gupta is the new director of sports, replacing Sanjeev Verma.
Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticized the BJP government for poor sports infrastructure and negligence leading to the deaths.
- Who
- Haryana government, athletes Hardik Rathi and Aman, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda
- What
- Reshuffling of top sports officers and political accusations following athlete deaths
- When
- After November 25, 2023
- Where
- Haryana, India
- Why
- To address safety concerns in sports infrastructure after tragic incidents and political criticism
Congress
BJP
Sports Infrastructure
Congress
The BJP government has destroyed Haryana’s sports infrastructure and failed to maintain it, leading to the deaths of athletes. They discontinued sports schemes and treated players poorly.
BJP
The BJP government is responsible for the poor condition of sports infrastructure, which led to the deaths of two athletes. They failed to improve the grounds and poles despite funds being allocated.
Government Responsibility
Congress
The BJP government is solely responsible for the deaths of the athletes due to negligence. They should face strict action and provide compensation to the families.
BJP
The BJP government's negligence led to the deaths of the athletes, and they should be held accountable with a high-level investigation and compensation for the families.
Chandigarh and SYL Issues
Congress
The BJP government is indecisive about Chandigarh's status and has failed to provide Haryana with its due water from the SYL canal despite Supreme Court orders.
BJP
The BJP government has not been able to acquire land for the new assembly or provide Haryana with SYL water, and their policy on Chandigarh is unclear.
- Athletes Deceased
- Hardik Rathi, Aman
- New Sports Commissioner
- Vijay Singh Dahiya
- New Sports Director
- Parth Gupta
- Incident Locations
- Rohtak, Bahadurgarh
- Cause of Death
- Collapse of rusted iron poles in basketball courts
- Congress Leader
- Bhupinder Singh Hooda
- Funds Allocated
- Rs 12 lakh by MP Deepender Hooda
