New Delhi, Nov 27 : Union Government on Friday issued detailed guidelines in order to prevent age fraud in sports and ensure fair play.

As the National Code against age fraud in Sports is still pending the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry issued detailed guidelines to all sports federations, associations and bodies to ensure that overage players are not allowed to participate at any level of competitions.

The Ministry also advised the sports administration in the country to treat age fraud on the same lines as anti –doping measures as both amounts to cheating and violates basic spirit of sport.

Expressing serious concern over the matter, Ministry stated: “In the recent past, incidents of age fraud committed by athletes, in some major tournaments and selection trials have come to the notice of the government, which is a matter of serious concern.”

“In order to ensure fair play , it is imperative that stringent action is taken against athletes found guilty of committing age fraud and also against their abettors. Government has therefore decided that all sports federations, associations and bodies should take appropriate measures to check age fraud on the same lines as anti –doping measures as both amounts to cheating, which is violative of the basic spirit of sport,” communiqué stated. (ANI)