Deepender Hooda slams state govt over ‘collapsed sports infrastructure’ after death of teen players

Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Haryana government, accusing it of “negligence” in sports infrastructure, which he claimed led to the death of two basketball players during practice in Rohtak and Bahadurgarh.

Speaking to mediapersons at the residence of party leader Yogender Rana in the city, Hooda demanded Rs 1 crore financial aid and a government job for a family member of each deceased player.

“The Haryana Sports Minister’s visit to meet the victim families was nothing but formality, without a single concrete announcement. I demand Rs 1 crore financial aid, government job for each family,” Hooda maintained.

He insisted that the players did not die in a road accident but they lost their lives due to the dilapidated sports system, for which the government must be held accountable.

He demanded that a case of criminal negligence be filed against the officials responsible for not using the Rs 18.5 lakh given by him from the MPLADS for stadium maintenance, and strict action be taken.

“The Congress government had constructed 481 sports stadiums in rural and urban areas in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. Instead of allocating adequate funds for the maintenance of these stadiums, it is unfortunate that the government of India has allocated only Rs 80 crore from its Rs 3,500 crore sports budget to Haryana, a state known as a mine of sports. “This is an insult to the athletes and medals of our state,” he added.

“Despite repeated questions raised about the dilapidated sports system, the government remained silent. The CM must take responsibility for this negligence and provide justice to the families of these players,” he said.

“The BJP government has grossly neglected the interests of Haryana’s athletes. During the Congress government’s tenure, the 3 per cent sports quota in Group C and D was abolished. Players were denied promotions and cash awards from 2021 onwards. During the Congress government, cash awards were also given to junior, sub-junior, and youth game players,” he added.

Hooda further said Haryana’s sports framework had been “destroyed in the last 11 years,” claiming under Khelo India allocations, Haryana received the lowest grant among 28 states, while Gujarat received the highest. Haryana produces the most medals, yet receives the least budget.

He also questioned the decision to allow Gujarat to host the upcoming Commonwealth Games events in India in 2030. “If merit mattered, Haryana should have been chosen. Gujarat’s name seems to have emerged from a slip, not merit,” he said. These games should be played either in NCR states or in Haryana and Punjab, which have a long contribution in sports medals, he added.