In a huge blow to the Sikkim Criket Association (SCA), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has handed a two-year ban to Manoj Gurung, Sikkim U19 cricketer, for tampering with his birth certificate.
According to several media reports, back in the year 2014, the birth certificate which Manoj presented to register himself for the Cooch Behar Trophy, showed 1997 as his year of birth. According to which he should’ve been 21-year-old now. However, this time he submitted his birth certificate again which claimed that the cricketer was born in 2000.
The blunder came under the notice of the board during the registration process and soon, the CSA was informed about the same. In addition, the BBCI wrote a letter to the association informing that Manoj has been banned for two years and will not be allowed to participate in any of the BCCI-affiliated tournament with effect from this season.
The board has also made it clear that such activities won’t be tolerated at any cost.
On the other hand, the SCA were left in a shock after getting the information. While SCA’s secretary Sonam Palden Bhutia appreciated BCCI for taking a strict step, they are yet to figure out how how the player managed to forge the birth certificate and submit it to the association.
“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,” Bhutia said.