Hooda announces statewide stadium inspections, blames BJP for ‘collapsed’ sports infrastructure

Speaking to media persons in Chandigarh, Hooda said he will tour stadiums across the state after the Congress rally in Delhi on December 14 to highlight what he called “gross negligence” in sports facilities.

Calling the deaths of the basketball players “not accidents but murder due to government negligence,” Hooda demanded a high-level investigation, strict action against those responsible, and immediate government jobs and financial support for the victims’ families.

He also criticised the government for failing to utilise a Rs 12 lakh grant provided by MP Deepender Hooda to improve the grounds.

“World-class sports facilities built during the previous Congress government have been left to deteriorate,” said the Haryana Leader of Opposition.

He claimed that key initiatives such as “Sports Talent Hunts” and “Sports Academies,” as well as high-ranking job appointments for athletes, were discontinued under the BJP, adversely affecting sports development and youth engagement.

Hooda also attacked the government on broader state issues, including Chandigarh’s status and the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. He alleged that the BJP has failed to secure Haryana’s share of SYL water despite Supreme Court directives and has created public confusion over Chandigarh’s administrative future.

On the Election Commission’s accelerated Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Hooda said the process is being rushed unnecessarily, claiming that pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) has contributed to suicides. He urged that the revision be carried out at a normal pace.