India's top junior shuttlers found overage, BAI to take stringent action

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) will take strict measures to check the menace of age fraud in the junior category. This comes after the BAI, in its circular last year, had asked all the age-group players who have not registered their date of birth within 12 months from their birth to undergo medical examinations.

In a confidential report of the results of the examination, a copy of which is with Sportskeeda, it has been clearly stated that Lakshya Sen, Swaran Raj, Sai Pawan Kari among others have been found overage. It has been further learnt that the likes of Aakarshi Kashyap and Dhruv Kapila have also been found overage.

Lakshya is currently the junior World No.10 and has been named in India's squad for the Thomas Cup. Aakarshi is ranked 11th in the junior World Rankings while Dhruv (Junior World No. 5 in Men's Doubles) is one of India's most promising doubles players.

Mr Ajay Singhania, General Secretary of the BAI, told Sportskeeda, "Those who have not registered their date of birth within 12 months from their birth will definitely undergo medical tests. From the reports we already have in hand, the ones who have been found overage, we will take action strict action against them."

"We have to take a decision on Lakshya Sen, Aakarshi Kashyap, Dhruv Kapila...there are a few other names on the list. But some problems are arising regarding this, we will be taking a decision on this soon," he added.

Sanjay Mishra, the chief coach of the junior national team, said, "The association has become much more strict now and they are taking action, a new committee has been formed just to tackle age fraud. But the problem is we cannot determine which information is authentic and which is not. There will be a meeting regarding this."

He also explained how the association are making preparations so that there are no let-offs. "Last time, we had penalised the players who were found overage but they went to court. Now, our president has decided that we must take proper preparation before taking any actions. Even if they go to court, we will be prepared," Mishra said.

When asked what kind of punishments could be meted out, he said, "You see, it's not the players who are guilty. They are kids. It's the coaches and the parents who do this. So, our primary objective is not to put an end to their careers. Instead, we will ask them to play in their age categories and if, after that, there are still violations, strict measures will be taken."