Urooj Niazi 
pakistan sports board stops age fraud
Pakistan Takes Steps to Deter Age Fraud in Youth Sports
To promote equilibrium in youth sports, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has implemented new rules and regulations to reduce age fraud in under-21 events across the country. For a long time, age cheating, like using fake birth documents, has been a huge issue in youth sports in Pakistan and around the world. This gives an unfair advantage to older players and excludes younger players who deserve their opportunities. PSB has called age fraud a “serious threat” to the integrity of fair competition and has officially classified it as a punishable offense under the Pakistan Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports. From now on, age fraud will fall under a zero-tolerance policy and will ensure that only talented athletes are given a chance.
New Regulations for Fake Age Claims
According to the new PSB policies, all under-21 athletes are required to submit:
- Their CNIC or B-form
- The names of their selection committee members
- Dental examination reports
- Radiology-based age tests
The two documents must be duly signed and verified by the relevant sport federation’s president and secretary general. Only participants with fully verified and accurate documentation will be able to participate in training camps, receive financial support, and receive performance grants. Anyone caught with falsified documents will be barred from any involvement and could face further discipline and actions.
The PSB Changing Its Image
The PSB has received previous complaints for not closely watching over this type of thing. But this time, the board of governors seems serious about fixing the system. These new processes also align with the global sport bodies and their calls for proper sport governance as outlined by the International Olympic Committee.
- A Move Toward Fair Play
- As Pakistan continues to rebuild trust and legitimacy in its sports institutions, this direction could potentially start to ease the sports community into having trust in the system. The PSB are optimistic that this program represents credible first step to end mal-practice in junior-level sports.
- The road ahead will not be without bumps. There remain challenges from some factions. However, for these young athletes in Pakistan, they may be more likely to be competing on a level playing field, in cleaner competition, and with more hope in their sports careers
