India Battles Widespread Age Fraud in Youth Sports

At least 500 wrestlers were disqualified from India’s under-17 championships in June for alleged age fraud, highlighting what experts describe as a widespread problem across age-group sports. The issue has also affected football, with around 20 teams expelled from the Subroto Cup last year for fielding overage players.

Experts say India’s fragmented birth-registration system and lack of a unified digital database for athletes make age fraud easier to commit. Gaining extra years in an age-category competition can offer athletes an unfair physical advantage and potentially lead to scholarships, sponsorships, recognition and, in cricket, lucrative opportunities.

The BCCI has used bone-density testing since 2012, while India’s football and tennis federations have also adopted the method. However, experts say such tests have limitations and cannot eliminate fraud on their own. The Sports Ministry has drafted a new code proposing stronger identity verification, multiple medical checks, a central digital database and criminal deterrence, while also calling for safeguards to protect young athletes who may be victims of the practice.

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