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Olympic hockey bracket: Live updates as men’s teams advance through 2026 knockout rounds

Olympic hockey bracket: Live updates as men’s teams advance through 2026 knockout rounds

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The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are into the final week, and the knockout medal bracket in men’s hockey is upon us.

All 12 teams still have a chance at reaching the gold medal game, but for eight of those teams, they will need to win a qualification playoff game first to keep their medal hopes alive. Four teams, however, officially clinched a spot in the bracket and await winners of the four qualification playoff games.

The 12 Olympic men’s hockey teams were placed into three groups of four teams each. Following the preliminary games, the 12 teams were ranked from 1-12, with the top four teams securing a bye.

Who has advanced to the knockout medal bracket?

Canada – Automatic qualifier
Switzerland – Advanced to qualification playoffs
Czechia – Advanced to qualification playoffs
France – Advanced to qualification playoffs

Slovakia – Automatic qualifier
Finland – Automatic qualifier
Sweden – Advanced to qualification playoffs
Italy – Advanced to qualification playoffs

United States – Automatic qualifier
Germany – Advanced to qualification playoffs
Denmark – Advanced to qualification playoffs
Latvia – Advanced to qualification playoffs

What were the rankings after the preliminary games?

Here is how the teams were ranked, and these seedings were used to reseed the field prior to the beginning of b racket play. Factors used in the rankings included group standings, goal differential, and more.

What does the medal bracket look like?

Qualification Playoff Games

Germany 5, France 1
Switzerland 3, Italy 0
Czechia 3, Denmark 2
Sweden 5, Latvia 1

Slovakia 6, Germany 2
Canada 4, Czechia 3
Finland 3, Switzerland 2
United States vs. Sweden: February 18, 3:10 p.m. Eastern

TBD vs. TBD: February 20
TBD vs. TBD: February 20

Bronze: Feb. 21, 1:40 a.m.

(Note: Teams will be reseeded based on the preliminary round rankings following the quarterfinals).

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Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury. “I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March. “He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.” Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota. Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak. The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25. Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign. Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday. Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss. It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat. “He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.” Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them. Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #WizardsApr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury.

“I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March.

“He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.”

Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota.

Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak.

The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25.


Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign.

Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury.

Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.

Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss.

It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat.

“He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.”

Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them.

Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards">Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury. “I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March. “He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.” Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota. Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak. The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25. Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign. Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday. Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss. It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat. “He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.” Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them. Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.

Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.

This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.

The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.

A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.

This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.

#UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach">UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU. Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke. This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23. The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone. A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear. This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold. #UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach

It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.

Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.

This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.

The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.

A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.

This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.

#UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach">UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach 
UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU. Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke. This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23. The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone. A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear. This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold. #UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.

Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.

This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.

The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.

A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.

This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.

#UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach

In a bid to prevent “avoidable accidents” at playgrounds and sports facilities, the Sports Ministry has issued an advisory to all state governments, urging them to restrict usage of “dilapidated or unstable” structures and demolish “irreparable hazards” if required.

The advisory was formulated after a 16-year-old national-level basketball player died when a pole collapsed on him while practising at a court in Haryana’s Rohtak a few months ago.

On Monday, a 20-year-old marine engineering student died after a basketball hoop inside his college campus crashed on him.

“States/UTs are advised to carry out a safety review of playgrounds and sports facilities under Government/ULB/Panchayat/PSU/Autonomous Bodies/educational institutions, including stadia, indoor halls, practice grounds, open gyms, pools and all ancillary structures,” stated the advisory that is in PTI’s possession.

“The review may specifically cover structural condition, boundary walls/railings, gates, spectator stands, lighting poles/towers, scoreboards, floors/surfaces, drainage/manholes, and any temporary structures,” it added.

The ministry has advised state governments to immediately repair damages or demolish the irreparable structures after restricting usage through “prominent warning signages”.

“Any area/structure found unsafe (dilapidated, unstable, damaged, or otherwise hazardous) should be immediately restricted for use and secured through barricading…” it said.

“Defects requiring urgent rectification (loose/unstable goalposts/poles, protruding fixtures, sharp edges, exposed pits/drains, slippery surfaces, broken flooring, unsafe branches/trees. etc.) may be addressed on priority: irreparable hazards may be removed/demolished as per applicable procedures,” it added.

In addition, the ministry has urged for periodic evaluation of sports equipment at public facilities.

“…equipment should be periodically checked for stability, anchoring, wear-and-tear, rust/metal fatigue, and safe installation; defective equipment should be withdrawn from use until repaired/replaced,” it said.

Crowd management

The ministry, while calling for regular inspection of electrical installations and basic fire safety preparedness has also laid down some norms for events involving large gatherings.

“For organised events/tournaments/coaching sessions with large participation/spectator presence, organisers/ facility managers should prepare a simple safety plan covering crowd movement, entry/exit management, emergency response, and safe placement/strength of temporary structures,” it said.

“Temporary structures (pandals, stages, barricades, viewing platforms) should be erected only with basic safety checks and should be periodically monitored during the event,” it added.

Supervision of children

For facilities frequented by children, the ministry has advised constant supervision during training and “visible display of grievance helpline information”.

“Where repair/retrofitting work is undertaken, States/UTS may consider identifying safe alternative spaces so that training/activities are not disrupted, without compromising safety,” it said.

Before reopening or resuming activities in a repaired facility, the ministry has advocated “fitness certification from a Competent Authority/qualified engineer”.

“Facility managers may maintain a simple Safety Register recording inspection dates, observations, rectification actions, certifications, and incident/near-miss reporting for accountability and review,” it said.

“States/UTs are requested to issue suitable instructions to concerned Departments/Agencies and undertake periodic monitoring so that these preventive measures are institutionalised and untoward incidents are averted.”

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Restrict #dilapidated #structures #demolish #irreparable #hazards #Sports #Ministry #states">Restrict use of dilapidated structures, demolish irreparable hazards: Sports Ministry to states In a bid to prevent “avoidable accidents” at playgrounds and sports facilities, the Sports Ministry has issued an advisory to all state governments, urging them to restrict usage of “dilapidated or unstable” structures and demolish “irreparable hazards” if required.The advisory was formulated after a 16-year-old national-level basketball player died when a pole collapsed on him while practising at a court in Haryana’s Rohtak a few months ago.On Monday, a 20-year-old marine engineering student died after a basketball hoop inside his college campus crashed on him.“States/UTs are advised to carry out a safety review of playgrounds and sports facilities under Government/ULB/Panchayat/PSU/Autonomous Bodies/educational institutions, including stadia, indoor halls, practice grounds, open gyms, pools and all ancillary structures,” stated the advisory that is in PTI’s possession.“The review may specifically cover structural condition, boundary walls/railings, gates, spectator stands, lighting poles/towers, scoreboards, floors/surfaces, drainage/manholes, and any temporary structures,” it added.The ministry has advised state governments to immediately repair damages or demolish the irreparable structures after restricting usage through “prominent warning signages”.“Any area/structure found unsafe (dilapidated, unstable, damaged, or otherwise hazardous) should be immediately restricted for use and secured through barricading…” it said.“Defects requiring urgent rectification (loose/unstable goalposts/poles, protruding fixtures, sharp edges, exposed pits/drains, slippery surfaces, broken flooring, unsafe branches/trees. etc.) may be addressed on priority: irreparable hazards may be removed/demolished as per applicable procedures,” it added.In addition, the ministry has urged for periodic evaluation of sports equipment at public facilities.“…equipment should be periodically checked for stability, anchoring, wear-and-tear, rust/metal fatigue, and safe installation; defective equipment should be withdrawn from use until repaired/replaced,” it said.Crowd managementThe ministry, while calling for regular inspection of electrical installations and basic fire safety preparedness has also laid down some norms for events involving large gatherings.“For organised events/tournaments/coaching sessions with large participation/spectator presence, organisers/ facility managers should prepare a simple safety plan covering crowd movement, entry/exit management, emergency response, and safe placement/strength of temporary structures,” it said.“Temporary structures (pandals, stages, barricades, viewing platforms) should be erected only with basic safety checks and should be periodically monitored during the event,” it added.Supervision of childrenFor facilities frequented by children, the ministry has advised constant supervision during training and “visible display of grievance helpline information”.“Where repair/retrofitting work is undertaken, States/UTS may consider identifying safe alternative spaces so that training/activities are not disrupted, without compromising safety,” it said.Before reopening or resuming activities in a repaired facility, the ministry has advocated “fitness certification from a Competent Authority/qualified engineer”.“Facility managers may maintain a simple Safety Register recording inspection dates, observations, rectification actions, certifications, and incident/near-miss reporting for accountability and review,” it said.“States/UTs are requested to issue suitable instructions to concerned Departments/Agencies and undertake periodic monitoring so that these preventive measures are institutionalised and untoward incidents are averted.”Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Restrict #dilapidated #structures #demolish #irreparable #hazards #Sports #Ministry #states

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