The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has banned 16 players across various age groups (under-14, 16, 19 and 23) from participating in summer vacation camps and tournaments due to age-fudging.
Mumbai Cricket Association
Wankhede stadium. Pic/ Suresh Karkera
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The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has banned 16 players across various age groups (under-14, 16, 19 and 23) from participating in summer vacation camps and tournaments due to age-fudging.
The players were caught producing fake birth certificates which did not match their other documents like school leaving certificates and mark sheets. A total of 26 players came under the scanner, but on verification, the MCA deemed 10 players eligible.
The remaining 16 and their parents have been summoned to the MCA office on Monday when their documents will be further scrutinised.
Till then, these players will not be permitted to be part of any local cricket activities, according to MCA Jt Hon Secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar.
The association seems hell bent on stamping out the age-fudging menace which is rampant among outstation players.
Vice-president Vinod Deshpande said: "One player produced a document to prove that he is in Class VII. The same cricketer had earlier submitted a certificate to indicate he is in Class IX. Last year, we discovered some players were over-aged when we began selecting the Mumbai under-19 team."
"Age-fudging is a major cause of decay in Mumbai cricket. It is not fair to other players who adopt fair means to pursue their cricketing careers. This is a serious issue and we need to find a permanent solution to stop this," emphasised MCA managing committee member Ramesh Vazge.
It is learnt that players found guilty on Monday could be banned for two years.
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