CBI probe against 34 Orissa athletes

The CBI on Tuesday initiated a preliminary enquiry against 34 cricketers and athletes of Orissa for allegedly manipulating their age records.

According to sources, the inquiry, initiated by the agency’s sports integrity unit, has identified 34 sportsmen with regard to alleged age records fraud. Besides, officials of the Cuttack District Athletic Association and the Orissa Cricket Association are also under the scanner.

Sources said the sportsmen allegedly manipulated their respective dates of birth and submitted forged documents as age proofs to ensure selection in Cuttack- A and Cuttack- B teams for the under- 19 district cricket tournament, 2016.

Sources said details of the athletic competitions in which the manipulation allegedly took place are being probed. A preliminary enquiry has been registered against 34 sportsmen, other unknown players and officials of the Cuttack District Athletic Association and the Orissa Cricket Association in this regard, sources added.

Recently, the Table Tennis Federation of India ( TTFI) banned three nationallevel players ( under- 17 and under- 18 categories) for two years and another for one for allegedly fudging their age records.

The TTFI decision came after the sports integrity unit of the agency, which probed the matter after receiving complaints, found that four players had forged their birth certificates.