16-year-old national level basketball player Hardik Rathi dies after rusted Pole collapses during practice
(Courtesy : Screengrab CCTV Footage)
Hardik Rathi wanted to lead India in basketball.
How cruel can dreams be sometimes! Hardik Rathi, a 16-year-old national-level basketball player from Rohtak, Haryana, was doing what he loved most, practicing at his local court, when a tragic accident cut his young life short on November 25, Tuesday.
In the CCTV footage, Hardik can be seen taking routine shots during practice, the ball passing smoothly through the net like it had several times before.
All of a sudden, the rusted basketball pole, weakened by years of neglect, collapsed and came crashing down on him. His teammates rushed toward him in hurry. They quickly tried to lift the heavy pole and free him. But the damage was already devastating.
Hardik was taken to the hospital immediately. However, despite the attempts to save him, the 16-year-old could not survive.
His death has drawn attention to an issue that is often overlooked, the basic safety of sports infrastructure. A basketball pole is meant to handle pressure, whether its players hanging on the rim or accidental collisions during play.
The fact that it collapsed during a routine practice makes it clear that regular maintenance and basic safety standards were not being met at that basketball court.
Hardik’s family is struggling with the loss. His cousin, Khadak Singh Rathi, told NDTV, “Hardik was a focused, decent boy. His dream was to lead India in basketball.”
The tragedy has disturbed the entire sports fraternity of India. Even Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra expressed his anguish on social media, writing: “My heart is with the family of the young basketball player who tragically lost his life in Haryana. A child stepped onto a court with joy and energy, simply wanting to play… and he never returned home.”
Bindra added, “It is a pain no parent, no family, should ever have to endure. Moments like this stay with us. They remind us how precious and fragile a child’s dream is, and how much care and attention must go into the spaces where our young people play and grow.”
“Every child should feel safe when they step onto a playground, a field or a court. As we hold this young boy in our thoughts, may his memory guide us to do better, to look after our sporting spaces with greater responsibility, and to ensure that every child feels protected as they discover the joy of sport.”
According to reports, this is not just one incident. In Haryana’s Bahadurgarh district, a 15-year-old boy named Aman also lost his life when a basketball pole collapsed while he was practicing at a stadium. He was rushed to the hospital, but the injuries were fatal and he could not survive it.
Who was Hardik Rathi?
Hardik Rathi was a 16-year-old national-level basketball player from Rohtak, Haryana, who tragically died during practice.
How did the accident happen?
A rusted basketball pole, weakened by years of neglect, collapsed while Hardik was taking routine shots, fatally injuring him
What did Abhinav Bindra say about Hardik’s death?
The Olympic medallist Bindra expressed deep sorrow, stating that every child should feel safe while playing and urging better care for sporting spaces.
What was Hardik’s dream?
Hardik aspired to lead India in basketball, according to his cousin Khadak Singh Rathi.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.