Kids playing age-grade football in Nigeria | File image
The National Sports Commission (NSC) says it has secured the National Council of Sports’ approval for a policy that formally criminalises and institutionalises sanctions for age falsification in Nigerian sports.
In a statement on Saturday, NSC said the decision was endorsed at the second National Council on Sports in Calabar.
“The sanctions will apply to athletes, coaches, team officials, officiating officials, state delegations and administrators involved in any form of age fraud,” the statement reads.
“Offending athletes will face immediate disqualification, loss of medals, withdrawn records and suspensions ranging from one to two years for a first offence, and longer or permanent bans for repeat violations.
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“Coaches and officials involved in falsification risk licence suspensions of up to three years, removal from all duties and permanent disqualification in severe cases.
“Entire teams and state delegations may be disqualified, stripped of results and fined to cover administrative and investigation costs.
“The NSC also issued a clear warning: age cheating will no longer be treated as a minor internal issue. Athletes, parents, officials and state representatives who assist, conceal or participate in falsification will face penalties without exception.”
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These guidelines take effect immediately across all national age-grade competitions, and Nigerians representing the country at continental and international events are not exempted.
Bukola Olopade, the director-general of NSC, says any individual caught manipulating age for sporting reasons in the country “will face the full weight of the law”.
“The era of impunity is over. [Age falsification is] a national disgrace and a systematic sabotage of Nigeria’s sports future,” he said.
“Age cheating steals dreams, destroys careers and tarnishes our flag,” Hon. Olopade said. “These new sanctions send a clear message: If you manipulate, falsify or misrepresent ages in Nigerian sport, you will face the full weight of the law.”
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“Genuine 17-year-olds should not be competing against falsified 20-year-olds. These reforms protect our children, our reputation and our future.”
