Nagaland disqualified from Subroto Cup due to age fraud

Nagaland, along with 14 other teams, has been disqualified from the Sub Junior (U-14) Boys’ tournament in the 62nd edition of the Subroto Cup Inter School International Football Tournament due to the inclusion of overage players in their squads.

The Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) has announced new fixtures in response to this development. Additionally, all matches played on Sunday, 1 October, have been declared null and void by the tournament organizers.

A Skeletal Age Estimation Test was conducted on Sunday in accordance with the regulations of the tournament and the criteria set by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The test was administered at a hospital in Bengaluru by a doctor designated by AIFF. Out of the 126 players tested, 87 players failed the test, while 34 players passed, the organizers said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Age tests conducted per AIFF rules in Bengaluru, with support from Subroto Society. 126 players tested, 87 failed, 34 passed. Results for 5 players pending. 15 teams disqualified due to overage players. SMSES and AIFF committed to fair play. #AgeVerification #FairPlay pic.twitter.com/CWZl8ZBMMX

— Subroto Cup Official (@CupSubroto) October 2, 2023

Greenwood Higher Secondary School, Dimapur (Greenwood School Khelo India Centre, Nagaland), represented Nagaland in the tournament and was placed in Group F for the group stages.
The specific number of overage players in the Nagaland squad has not been ascertained. Nevertheless, each team had a minimum of four players tested, and among the 15 disqualified teams, a minimum of four players were found to be overage.

SMSES, in collaboration with AIFF, has taken this initiative to combat age fraud and ensure a fair tournament.

The new fixtures include 22 teams divided into eight groups. The group stage matches are scheduled to be played from 2 October to 4 October 2023, at the Air Force School, Jalahalli, Air Force School, Yelahanka, and Air Force Headquarters Training Command. The winners of each group will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be held on 6 October, followed by the semifinals on 8 October. The tournament’s finals are set to take place on 10 October, with all knockout matches to be played at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre.

Heirok Higher Secondary School, Imphal, Manipur, is the defending champion in the Sub-Junior (U-14) category, while this year’s representative from the state, The Unique Model Academy, Imphal East, Manipur, is also not included in the revised fixture.

Mokokchung Times