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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a massive step in its efforts to combat age-fudging in junior cricket by revamping its Age Verification Programme (AVP). This decision, made during a recent Apex Council meeting, allows junior players to undergo a second bone test. The primary objective of this change is to ensure fairness for young cricketers and address growing concerns about the accuracy of the existing age verification methods. Previously, junior cricketers, specifically boys aged 14-16 and girls aged 12-15, were subjected to a mandatory one-time bone age test before participating in BCCI's age-group tournaments.
BCCI's massive take to tame age fraud in junior cricket
Under the previous system, the BCCI determined a player's 'bone age' through X-rays and then added one year to it to arrive at their 'mathematical age'. This 'mathematical age' was the deciding factor for eligibility in age-group tournaments. For instance, a boy with a bone age of 14.8 years would have a 'mathematical age' of 15.8 years, making him eligible for the U-16 level for that season. However, this system automatically rendered the player ineligible in the subsequent season, even if their actual age according to official documents was still under 16.
The new amendment addresses this issue by allowing players whose official documents still place them under the cut-off age to take a second bone test. If they successfully clear this second test, they will be permitted to continue playing in their respective age categories. This adjustment acknowledges the inherent limitations of bone tests, which, despite being scientifically based, are not always definitive. By offering a second test, the BCCI is providing young cricketers with another opportunity if they believe the initial result did not accurately reflect their age.
The need for this change arose from the long-standing issue of age fraud in junior cricket. Over the years, there have been numerous instances of players misrepresenting their age to gain an unfair advantage. Shockingly, some parents even resorted to deceptive tactics such as sending younger siblings for bone tests to evade detection. However, the BCCI has been proactive in addressing these fraudulent practices. Officials were quick to identify and crack down on such impersonation attempts, leading to the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar cards with updated photographs before any player undergoes an X-ray for bone age determination.
The BCCI's bone age testing process is conducted annually around July and August. Representatives from the board travel across the country, visiting state cricket associations to administer these tests. Each state is allocated a specific time slot, and players are screened at designated official hospitals. On average, approximately 40-50 boys and 20-25 girls undergo the test in each state. With the introduction of the new rule allowing a second bone test, the BCCI has not only enhanced the fairness of the process but has also strengthened its efforts to combat age fraud without being unduly harsh on legitimate players. This amendment offers a crucial lifeline for young cricketers who may have been unfairly disadvantaged due to the inherent margin of error in a single bone scan, while simultaneously maintaining a stricter check on potential age-fudging attempts.
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