In a significant decision taken during the Annual General Meeting of Badminton Association of India held at Guwahati, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has unanimously resolved to implement an amnesty scheme – VARS or Voluntary Age Rectification Scheme, inviting players to re-register their accurate dates of birth within a specified 20-day timeframe. This proactive measure serves as an effective tool in addressing the pressing issue of age fraud within the sport of badminton. The scheme and circular were announced by BAI on Monday, June 5.
Under this commendable initiative, any player discovered engaging in age fraud subsequent to the amnesty period will face dire consequences, including severe punishments such as a two-year ban from participation, criminal prosecution, and other appropriate legal actions.
Furthermore, the BAI intends to extend the scope of punitive measures to encompass not only the culpable players but also their parents and coaches, thereby instilling a sense of collective responsibility and accountability.
The pressing nature of this concern is exemplified by the current presence of more than 2,000 junior players who have submitted ambiguous ‘Medical Certificates’ in lieu of their original birth certificates.
These discrepancies had sparked significant concern among concerned parents’ groups, who had registered numerous complaints during the All India Badminton Ranking Tournaments last season. As a consequence, the BAI took prompt action by suspending eight to ten players found to be in violation of the age regulations. In a few instances, it was seen that even national gold medal winners and players representing India in age-group tournaments were found to possess dual birth certificates, amplifying the magnitude of the age fraud problem.
The detrimental impact of age fraud on the sport cannot be understated, as it undermines the fair competition and discourages promising young athletes from pursuing their dreams. The introduction of the age rectification scheme and the comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the BAI stands as an encouraging and commendable step towards fostering honesty, integrity, and transparency within the system.
Sandeep Heble, Secretary of the Goa Badminton Association, and Member of the Age Fraud Committee of the Badminton Association of India, expressed his support for these vital measures.
“Numerous complaints were being received from time to time on age frauds and on few occasions there were unpleasant situations also that occurred on the courts. The implementation of the amnesty scheme and the SOPs is a significant milestone in BAI’s ongoing efforts to eradicate age fraud within badminton. We believe that this comprehensive approach will restore faith in the system and ensure a level playing field for all badminton players, many of who would previously get disillusioned with the age frauds happening all around. Some academies, coaches might have encouraged this practice in the past but now, parents and players must come forward and register their correct ages during the period of the scheme, and not lead their children the wrong way ,” remarked Heble.
By taking resolute action against age fraud, the BAI aims to create a conducive environment that nurtures and showcases the immense talent of young badminton players throughout the nation. The introduction of the age rectification scheme and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures by the BAI is a positive development that promotes integrity and fairness within the system and could go a long way in combating the menace of age fraud.
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