Age-fudging: IGU inaction leaves parents fuming

A group of parents are up against the Indian Golf Union (IGU) for what they term the federation's failure to address their grievance.

At the centre of the issue is Kartik Sharma, who plays on the circuit in Category 'C' (11-12 years).

Officially, Kartik's date of birth is September 1, 2000, which makes him eligible for Category 'C' but the aggrieved parents have written to the director general, IGU, along with copies of certificates (the papers are in HT's possession), which list the boy's date of birth as September 1, 1997.

The son of a senior Army officer, Kartik started playing the Tour this year and has won two of the five events he's turned out for.

“There is no denying that he has talent but for someone who studies in Class IX, we object to his playing in Category 'C'," said a parent, who is a signatory to the letter.

Taking note of incidents of age fraud, Injeti Srinivas, the former joint secretary, sports, had written to national sports federations, among others, in November 2009 to "take appropriate measures to check age fraud, on the same lines as anti-doping measures".

Among the directives were issuing of identity cards “only after the federation has fully satisfied itself about the age of the player", and medical tests including "physical, dental and radiological examination".

It's been almost two months since the parents wrote to the IGU, asking for "independent investigation and medical tests be carried out on utmost priority" but the federation has preferred to sit on the case.

When contacted, Maj Gen (retd) A Parmar, director general, admitted the IGU had received the complaint.

“These things take time,” he said. "We have asked the boy to submit his school-leaving certificate and relevant Army documents (to be counter-signed by the HQ chief where Kartik's father is posted), and if there is a discrepancy we will take action.”