BCCI to hire outside agency as it increases strictness against age fraud- Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to engage an outside organization to verify player credentials as part of an effort to bolster its efforts against age fraud. The chosen agency is anticipated to start operations by the end of August 2025.

The board has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids from reputable verification organizations. Although the precise reason behind the decision is yet unknown, it seems to have been brought on by cases of shady or falsified documentation being filed at the time of registration.

The BCCI hopes to ensure that overage players do not join the age-group system by adding professionalism and transparency by outsourcing the verification process, Cricbuzz has reported.

At the moment, the BCCI uses a two-step age verification process. A comprehensive review of the provided paperwork, including birth certificates and academic records, is the first step.

BCCI sets strict requirements from agencies bidding for the job

In order to medically confirm the player's age, the second step involves a bone test (TW3 technique), which is usually performed on males under 16 and girls under 15.

Bidding agencies must have at least three years of expertise offering background verification services to prestigious organizations or businesses, such as recruitment agencies and educational boards, in accordance with the RFP.

It is essential to have a physical and digital presence throughout India and to be able to validate a variety of papers, including academic and residence records, proof of identity, and evidence of age. Particularly in rural locations, the agency's powers must include field-level checks.

Age verification is typically completed in July and August of each year, but in order to accommodate the new agency's onboarding, the procedure may extend into September this year. States usually test between 40 and 50 players per category (girls and boys). The BCCI hopes to implement a more stringent and uniform framework for age-group cricket eligibility with this action.

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