BAI bars 15 players for age fraud in last 18 months

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has barred 15 junior players after they were found guilty of age fudging a perennial issue across sports in India - in the last 18 months.

- Sandip Sikdar

To tackle age-fudging, BAI had in June 2023 announced a one-time Voluntary Age Rectification Scheme (VARS) to rectify age discrepancy in the record of registered players. Due to an overwhelming response, the month-long amnesty scheme was extended by a month.

Over 300 junior players were readmitted into the system.

Those who accepted age fraud under VARS had their record updated following which they have been playing in the correct age group competitions. BAI has maintained the confidentiality of these players as they are juniors.

However, 15 players who didn't disclose their actual age were later found guilty and banned for two years.