Caught on Camera: Young Basketball Player Dies After Pole Collapses During Practice

A shocking accident during a routine basketball practice claimed the life of a 16-year-old national-level player on Tuesday. The boy, identified as Hardik Rathi , was practising alone at a local ground when a metal pole holding the basketball hoop suddenly gave way.

CCTV footage of the incident, widely circulated online, shows Hardik hanging from the hoop when the unstable pole abruptly tilts and collapses. The heavy structure fell straight onto his chest, pinning him to the ground. Players on a nearby court ran to help, lifting the pole and attempting to assist him, but the injuries proved fatal.

Reports say Hardik had recently been selected for the national team and had just returned from a training camp. His neighbours described him as a dedicated young athlete with a promising future. His father, Sandeep Rathi, had enrolled both Hardik and his younger brother in a nearby sports club so they could train regularly.




In the wake of the tragedy, the Haryana Olympic Association has suspended all sports festivals and events across the state for three days as a mark of respect. Police have registered a case and completed the post-mortem, after which Hardik’s body was handed over to his family.

The incident has raised serious questions about safety standards and maintenance of sports infrastructure, especially at local grounds where young athletes train daily. For Hardik’s family and the sporting community, the accident is not just a heartbreaking loss but a reminder of the urgent need for safer, better-maintained facilities.