In a major step to uphold transparency and integrity in youth sports, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has introduced strict new regulations to combat age fraud in under-21 competitions across the country.
The move follows long-standing concerns that age manipulation has undermined fairness and limited opportunities for deserving young athletes. The PSB has now declared age fraud a formal violation under the Pakistan Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports, adopting a zero-tolerance policy.
Age cheating — including the use of fake birth certificates and altered documents — has been a persistent issue in junior sports, both in Pakistan and globally. It allows overage players to dominate age-restricted events, putting genuine talent at a disadvantage and damaging the integrity of competitions.
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Under the new rules, all under-21 athletes must submit verified documents including their CNIC or B-Form, dental records, and radiological age assessments. These documents must be approved by the president and secretary general of the relevant sports federation before being submitted to PSB.
Only athletes with properly verified information will be considered for national camps, financial support, or performance-based rewards. Athletes found guilty of providing false documents risk disqualification and further disciplinary action.
The PSB has faced criticism in the past for weak oversight, but the latest reforms mark a clear shift in its approach. The new directives align with international calls for stronger age verification systems, including those supported by the International Olympic Committee.