Hooda blames state govt for stadium deaths

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda today accused the BJP government of “completely destroying Haryana’s sports infrastructure” and warned that he “will not tolerate the government playing around with the lives of sportspersons.”

Referring to the deaths of two young basketball players in Bahadurgarh and Lakhan Majra, Hooda said the incidents were “extremely sad and unfortunate,” adding, “The BJP government is solely responsible for this. Despite MP Deepender Hooda’s grant of Rs 12 lakh, the government failed to improve the condition of the grounds and poles.”

Hooda termed the deaths “not a simple accident or a normal death, but a murder caused by government negligence,” and demanded “an impartial, high-level investigation” and “the strictest possible action against the culprits.”

He also sought “government jobs and adequate financial assistance” for the bereaved families.

He announced plans to “visit stadiums across the state after the Congress rally in Delhi on December 14,” adding that he would raise the issue of poor sports infrastructure “together with athletes and sports enthusiasts.”

The former CM said the present government had failed to maintain the “world-class sports infrastructure” built under the Congress regime.