BCCI Bans U-19 Cricketer from Sikkim for Tampering with Birth Certificate

The Northeastern cricketers have found themselves in the middle of a string of controversies ever since entering the first-class circuit earlier this season, as eight Puducherry players’ registration got cancelled in due course. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has handed a couple of years ban on a Sikkim cricketer named, Manoj Gurung. It was due to tampering with his birth certificate.

BCCI bans Sikkim player Manoj Gurung

In a letter to the Sikkim Cricket Association (SCA), the BCCI said the player hailing from Gantok will not be allowed to participate in any of the BCCI affiliated competitions with immediate effect from this particular season, as per reports in the Sportstar.

The publication learnt in 2014 that Gurung had registered himself for the Cooch Behar Trophy as a 1997-born cricketer. Meanwhile, he submitted a certificate this time which claimed he was born in 2000. The registration process was on, and then the board realised that there was some tampering with the document. The association was informed, and his name was withdrawn immediately.

The question which will hover around is how the player managed to forge the birth certificate and submit it to the SCA. As per reports, it is learnt the publication has stated it should be a wake-up call to the players.

“It is a very good step taken by the BCCI, and this will prevent the players from getting involved into any unfair practices. The association will completely cooperate with the Board on the matter,” SCA’s secretary, Sonam Palden Bhutia said.

Meanwhile, the BCCI officials confirmed the development. It also made it pretty clear that such activities won’t get tolerated ever and should be dealt very strictly. However, it must be noted that age forge is not something new especially in India or other subcontinental nations.