📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Shariquejamalworld
Politics
Haryana CM’s helicopter occupies stadium, athletes barred from using facility
✍️ Rediff
🗓 08 Oct 2026, 07:37 PM
👁 34
A helicopter carrying the Haryana chief minister was parked inside a stadium, preventing athletes from accessing the venue for training and events.
The helicopter carrying Haryana's chief minister was positioned inside a local stadium, effectively blocking the ground that athletes use for training and competitions. The aircraft remained on the field for several hours, during which scheduled sports activities were cancelled or relocated.
Athletes and coaches lodged complaints with stadium authorities, stating that the unexpected presence of the helicopter disrupted their preparation and denied them access to the facility. Several teams reported having to shift their practice sessions to alternate venues at short notice.
Officials from the chief minister's office declined to comment on the incident, citing security protocols. Meanwhile, local sports administrators emphasized the need for public infrastructure to remain available for its intended purpose, especially ahead of upcoming state-level tournaments.
The episode has sparked a broader debate about the use of government resources and public spaces for political purposes, with civil society groups urging stricter guidelines to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Athletes and coaches lodged complaints with stadium authorities, stating that the unexpected presence of the helicopter disrupted their preparation and denied them access to the facility. Several teams reported having to shift their practice sessions to alternate venues at short notice.
Officials from the chief minister's office declined to comment on the incident, citing security protocols. Meanwhile, local sports administrators emphasized the need for public infrastructure to remain available for its intended purpose, especially ahead of upcoming state-level tournaments.
The episode has sparked a broader debate about the use of government resources and public spaces for political purposes, with civil society groups urging stricter guidelines to prevent similar occurrences in the future.