' A cultural shift is needed to eradicate age fraud,' Nathaniel Da Costa

Age fraud in youth football has long been a critical issue that undermines the integrity of the sport and hinders the development of young players.

This problem was starkly highlighted when five teams were disqualified from the 63rd edition of the Subroto Cup Sub-Junior Boys tournament, which recently concluded in Bengaluru.

The teams—Nazareth Model High School from Dima Hasao, Assam; Nehru Public School from Jamui, Bihar; and Ultou Govt. Model High School from Bishnupur, Manipur—were found to have fielded overage players, as confirmed by the Skeletal Age Estimation Test.

The disqualifications, which were based on findings that these teams had more than four players above the cut-off age, underscores the ongoing battle against age fraud in Indian football.

For decades, age fraud has plagued Indian football, from local tournaments to state, district, and even national leagues.

This pervasive dishonesty, which sometimes extends to the national team, has not only tainted the sport’s integrity but also stunted the growth of genuine talent, contributing to India’s lackluster performance at the senior level.

Despite being an open secret among players, coaches, and officials, this systemic issue remains largely unchecked, reflecting a broader national embarrassment in the footballing ecosystem.

The challenges of age verification

Addressing the issue of age verification, Nathaniel Da Costa, Head of Grassroots at Forca Goa Foundation and Coach Educator with Premier League, provides a clear overview of current practices in age verification.

“What we do as of now and as per guidelines is just go as per Aadhaar card. That’s your government-recognized ID,” he explains.

When a child does not possess an Aadhaar card, alternatives such as birth certificates or school IDs are used.

Despite these measures, Nathaniel acknowledges that young players circumvent the system.

, “Absolutely, it does exist. It’s been part of the system for a very long time and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.”

The Skeletal Age Estimation Test, introduced as a more precise method, has not fully resolved the issue and Nathaniel critiques its effectiveness.

“The Skeletal Age Estimation Test gives a very big age gap. It’s about a three to four year age range. So that’s not ideal when they’re participating in an under-14 tournament.”

He further explains, “A child at under-17 can have the same density as a 14-year-old. We all know that a 17-year-old has a much higher level than a 14-year-old.”

This broad range means that age fraud can still occur despite the use of these tests.

Pressure to win and its consequences

The competitive nature of youth football exacerbates the issue of age fraud.

“The problem is because football is such a competitive environment, and there’s no real recognition for grassroots work in developing children. Academies are known for how many trophies they won, not for their developmental work,” Nathaniel observes.

This focus on winning trophies rather than fostering player development often leads coaches to manipulate age data to achieve immediate success, undermining the long-term growth of young athletes.

Nathaniel stresses the need for a cultural shift in how youth football is perceived: “To prevent this requires a cultural shift in the way we think, in the way parents think, in the way society thinks about youth football.”

He argues that if the emphasis were placed on nurturing talent rather than securing victories, the incentive to engage in age fraud would diminish.

“The focus should be on developing players rather than winning trophies,” he added.

Impact on players and the path forward

The consequences of age fraud extend beyond the realm of competition, significantly affecting the players involved.

“It is unfortunate that the people getting affected the most are the players. The players are not at fault. They are really young,” Nathaniel points out.

Addressing this issue requires ongoing efforts from clubs, academies, and governing bodies to foster a culture of integrity and prioritize long-term player development.

Nathaniel also discusses a recent report by Richard Hood, which highlights regional disparities in player development.

“Richard Hood recently published a report about regions that have the most players for India. If you look at the data, you'll notice that Goa doesn't have too many representatives in the U17 and U19 squads," he says.

He goes on to explain: “Over the last five years, we might have produced one or two players at the youth level, but at the senior level, we have four or five players coming through from Goa.”

He attributes this discrepancy to Goa’s stricter age verification system, which, while ensuring fair competition, may limit the advancement of younger talent.

Nathaniel’s insights provide a thorough understanding of the ongoing challenges related to age fraud in Indian youth football.

Tackling this issue demands a multifaceted approach, including improvements in age verification methods, a shift towards prioritizing player development, and fostering a culture of integrity.