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Journalism of Courage
The Badminton Association of India is offering a one-time amnesty window for those who have committed age fraud but wish to revert to their original age.
Under the Voluntary Age Rectification Scheme (VARS), registered players can rectify their correct date of birth within a specified window of 20 days from June 6, 2023 to June 25, 2023, according to a circular accessed by this paper.
Taking serious note of recent age fraud complaints and instances of purported age frauds, the BAI was compelled to implement stringent measures to punish age cheats. “These measures are listed in the BAI’s new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Age Verification and Penal Code which has been approved in the Executive Committee Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of BAI held on May 21 at Guwahati,” the circular stated.
It added: “To facilitate a transparent and accurate age verification process, BAI is pleased to announce a one-time Voluntary Age Rectification Scheme (VARS). This scheme is for registered players who have an existing BAI id, but have an incorrect date of birth and/or discrepancy in their Date of Birth / Age.”
Players who take up VARS are expected to send emails specifying their active BAI id, name, state, current registered DOB and new corrected DOB. They are expected to attach attested copies of correct birth certificate, hospital discharge card record and age proof documents to be relied upon with correct entry of Date of Birth.
“The BAI is committed to maintaining fairness and integrity within the sport,” the circular stated.
Players who do not avail of the scheme and are found guilty of age fraud thereafter with conclusive evidence, will face suo moto action from BAI according to the SOP. “Their BAI id to be made inactive for 2 years. Guilty players shall be banned from playing authorised badminton tournaments across country for 2 years (local, state, district, All India, international). In addition, FIR will be lodged and criminal proceedings will be initiated against parents / persons involved in the fraud.”
Additionally, after two years, the player can only participate in senior tournaments. Punishment can go upto 5 years if parents who avail of VARS cheat a second time. BAI also intends to publish periodic circulars on age fraud to report cases which will serve as means of deterrence.
For those with delayed birth certificates, registered a year after birth and born at home, public place, hotel, dharamshala, hostel or moving vehicle, a bunch of documents will need to be submitted. Besides birth certificate and bonafide letter from school principal, these will include marriage certificate of parents, birth certificate of siblings, maternity or paternity leave availed, service record of parents, immunization records of players and maternity insurance claims.
