Taking serious note of irregularities in the operation of sports nurseries across the state, Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam ordered the immediate closure of 11 sports nurseries found to be operating in violation of prescribed norms.
Recently, Gautam chaired a review meeting with senior officers of the Sports Department and directed them to prepare a comprehensive ground-level report on all sports nurseries being run in government schools and under Panchayat institutions across Haryana.
After a detailed examination of the department’s report, the Minister ordered stringent action against non-compliant sports nurseries. The nurseries that have been closed are primarily located in the districts of Nuh, Yamunanagar, Hisar and Bhiwani.
Serious irregularities detected during inspection
The Minister stated that, based on the findings of the Sports Department, the following nurseries have been closed, namely: three sports nurseries operating in Government Model Sanskriti Schools in Nuh, one cycling nursery at Shaheed Parminder Singh Government Senior Secondary School, Tejli (Yamunanagar), one boxing nursery at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Arya Nagar (Gram Panchayat), Hisar, two football nurseries at Government Senior Secondary School, Gangwa, Hisar, two football nurseries operating under Masoodpur Panchayat, Hisar, one boxing nursery and one volleyball nursery at GMSSSS, Bhiwani.
According to the departmental inquiry and field reports, several serious deficiencies and operational irregularities were found. These included the absence of adequate sports equipment, non-availability of essential modern and basic training facilities for athletes, poor maintenance of sports grounds posing a risk of injuries to players, and significant discrepancies between the number of athletes recorded on paper and the actual number present on the field.
Recent incidents
Aman (15), a basketball player, died after a basketball pole snapped in Bahadurgarh’s Shaheed Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Stadium on November 23, 2025. Similarly, Hardik Rathi (16), a state-level basketball player, died on November 25, 2025, while practising at a basketball court in Lakhan Majra (Rohtak) as the pole snapped.
Gautam said that the present action is only the beginning and that all other sports nurseries functioning across the state are also being subjected to thorough scrutiny. He asserted that no compromise would be made with the future of players or the quality of sports training. If any shortcomings, negligence or irregularities are detected in the functioning of any other sports nursery, strict action, including immediate closure, will be taken without delay.
The Sports Minister not only tightened oversight over sports nursery operators, but also cautioned departmental officials. Issuing a stern warning to Deputy Directors and coaches, he said that any laxity in the allotment, monitoring or regular inspection of sports nurseries would not be tolerated.
He further stated that any officer or coach found negligent in the discharge of duties would face disciplinary and departmental action.
Speaking about the state government’s vision, Gaurav Gautam said the state has already begun preparations for Olympic 2036. The government’s vision is that when India moves closer to its aspiration of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, Haryana’s athletes should contribute at least 36 medals to the country’s tally.
