Age fraud has long been a hidden problem in Indian sports, and veteran footballer Sandesh Jhingan is calling for action. The defender recently opened up about the issue, sharing his personal experiences and how it affects young players. Jhingan stressed the damaging impact of this practice on youth development, urging for change in the system.
Age Fraud: The “Elephant in the Room”
Sandesh Jhingan, a well-known figure in Indian football, described age fraud as the “elephant in the room.” He highlighted how it creates an unfair playing field, especially in youth football. Jhingan explained that many young players face overage opponents, which leads to self-doubt and hampers their growth.
Speaking at the Stay Your Age U-15 football tournament in Navi Mumbai, Jhingan reflected on his own experiences. He noted that the issue has been around for years, affecting not only football but other sports as well.
Jhingan recalled, “During my U-15 and U-17 days, we all knew there were older players competing in our age group. It was frustrating because they were stronger, faster, and more mature. I often felt I wasn’t good enough, but it was only because they were older.”
The Impact on Young Players
Age fraud harms young players in many ways. When an older player competes in a youth tournament, they have physical and mental advantages. According to Jhingan, even a two-year age gap can make a significant difference on the field. The unfair competition affects the confidence of genuine young players, who may start to doubt their abilities.
Jhingan added, “At such a young age, two years can change everything on the pitch. It’s not just about skills; it’s about strength, maturity, and understanding of the game. Luckily, I kept believing in myself, but many young players might lose confidence.”
A Call for Action
Sandesh Jhingan is now pushing for stronger measures to combat age fraud. He believes that sports authorities and football clubs must work together to ensure fair play. Jhingan praised the efforts of the Reliance Foundation and the clubs participating in the Stay Your Age Cup for addressing this issue.
“I’m glad to see the clubs and Reliance Foundation taking steps to fix this problem,” Jhingan said. “We need strict rules, proper verification processes, and a commitment from everyone involved in football to stop this.”
The Stay Your Age U-15 tournament took a major step toward resolving this issue. The tournament featured six teams: RFYC, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Dempo SC, FC Madras, and Mizoram Football Association (MFA). Before the tournament began, each team went through a detailed document verification process to ensure all players were of the correct age.
The Stay Your Age Cup: A Step in the Right Direction
The Stay Your Age Cup is part of a larger initiative to combat age fraud in Indian football. The tournament’s strict verification process sets an example for how future events can be run. Players’ documents were thoroughly checked, and all teams had access to the records, making the competition fairer.
The six participating teams played five matches each in a league format. This gave young players the opportunity to showcase their skills in an environment that promoted fairness and equality. The hope is that this tournament will inspire other events to adopt similar standards, creating a level playing field for young athletes across India.
Age Fraud: A Global Issue
While Sandesh Jhingan focuses on Indian football, he acknowledges that age fraud is not limited to one country or one sport. It is a global issue that affects many young athletes around the world. In many cases, overage players are allowed to compete due to weak regulations or lack of proper enforcement.
Jhingan pointed out that stricter rules and better verification systems are needed to solve the problem. “It’s not just in India; age fraud happens everywhere. But we need to start fixing it here, in our football and sports systems,” he said. “Once we have a system in place that ensures fair competition, we will see better development in our young players.”
Conclusion: A Brighter Future for Indian Football
Sandesh Jhingan’s candid remarks on age fraud highlight a serious issue in Indian sports. His call for action is a reminder that protecting young athletes should be a priority. By addressing this problem, Indian football can create a more competitive and fair environment for the next generation of players.
The Stay Your Age U-15 tournament is a step in the right direction. With strict document verification and a commitment to fair play, this event sets a positive example for the future. As more clubs and organizations get involved, there is hope that age fraud will no longer hold back young athletes from reaching their full potential. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
