Jammu : Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association on Friday said that Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) has sent an intimation to it about eligibility standard for participation of players in the U-16 cricket tournament.
In a statement issued on Friday by Member-Administration J&K Cricker Association (JKCA) Brig Anil Gupta said “BCCI has mandated that the players and his legal Guardian desirous of participating in the U-16 Tournaments must agree to be bound by the TW 3 method to verify the age”, adding that “ TW3 method of assessment of skeletal maturity (Tanner, Healy et al), an internationally recognized testing method of Bone Age and it will be the sole determining factor for eligibility to participate in BCCI Under-16 (TW3) Tournaments”.
Stating that “no other process or methodology shall be acceptable or be applicable”, Brig Gupta said “ In this eligibility process, x-ray image of players’ left wrist and hand bones would be examined by the BCCI appointed AVP radiology consultants who would assess the skeletal maturity and assign a rating that goes up to 16.5”.
He also said that only players rated below 16.S according to the parameters or the TW3 rating system shall be eligible to participate”, stating therein further said “the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is a body for promotion and development or cricket in India and the BCCI is responsible for ensuring that appropriate protocols are put in place to ensure a level playing field for competitive participation of players in its age group tournaments, by ensuing competition only between players of similar skeletal maturity”.
“To begin with chronological age of players will be determined for which players will have to submit Scanned Origin al Birth Certificate (Digitized), Photo 1D proof (either Passport or Aadhar Card —Only original will be acceptable) and School Marks sheets from the previous three years and only those players who are born on or after 1st September, 2005 to before 1st September, 2007 shall be entitled to undergo the selection process specified in this protocol”. Brig. Anil Gupta- Member Administration, JKCA, clarified that for the purpose of assessing eligibility to participate in the BCCI U-16 Tournament only TW3 methodology and not the chronological age shall be the determining factor. He also stated that BCCI has prepared an information guide for players and parents to acquaint them that age verification process protocol (TW3 Methodology), copy of which can be obtained by desirous players/ parents from JKCA Office at Jammu and Srinagar. He also said that detailed process to be followed for the said Protocol will be explained to the parents and players of those who are finally shortlisted by the Selectors before putting them th rough the process.
Stating that the BCCI reserves the right to request additional documentation including fresh X-ray reports as may be necessary”, Brig Gupta said “further B€CI may, at its sole discretion seek additional information and clarifications from the parents of the concerned player, as may be necessary”.
Brig. Gupta disclosed that any player submitting fraudulent date of birth proofs documents will be disqualified and debarred from participating in any BCCI Tournaments for two (02) years from the date of such disqualification. He further said that after completion of their 2 years ban period, they will not be allowed to participate in any BCCI age grotlp tournaments”,stating therein further more that the penalty is severe and hence parents are advised to ensure that only gen nine date of Birth proof documents are submitted.