U-15 Boys Subroto Cup team disqualification
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 06 2025:

Guardians urge authorities to be more careful in organising State level and district level tournaments

Following the disqualification of the State team from the 64th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament for U-15 boys for fielding overaged players, the guardians of the players have sent out a strong message to the authorities concerned to be more careful in future to avoid recurrence of such embarrassment.

Notably, AG Memorial Academy, Charangpat (Thoubal district), having sealed the district level and State level Subroto Mukeijee Football tournament titles went to Bengaluru for the 64th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament to represent Manipur before being disqualified as 6 of the 13 players were found overaged by the organisers.

U-15 Boys Subroto Cup team disqualification

AG Memorial Academy had listed 16 players for the district level tournament but were reduced to 15 players after medical age verification.

The number further reduced to 13 following another round of age verification conducted prior to the International tournament.

Addressing the media at the Manipur Press Club, the guardians of the disqualified team expressed deep disappointment and embarrassment for the State, known for its rich football culture.

Despite a promising start, including a 4-0 win over CBSE in the opening group stage match, the team's journey was cut short when six players were found to be overaged during medical examinations in Bengaluru, they said.

The guardians, who had to accompany their wards for late night medical age verification prior to leaving for Bengaluru, lamented that this was not the first time a Manipur team had faced disqualification due to the same issue.

They also attributed the team's fate to the laxity of State-level tournament organizers in adhering to the rules set by the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society.

According to tournament rules, if four or more players from a particular team are found overaged, the team will not be permitted to participate.

In case of three or less overaged players, the team can participate without the players, who are left out of the tournament.

The guardians also questioned the discrepancy in the results of medical age verification tests conducted in Manipur and Bengaluru using the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 test.

To avoid such embarrassment and waste of resources, they urged authorities to strictly follow tournament guidelines from the district level, ensuring that rules are adhered to and young athletes are protected.

They also expressed deep concern about the potential long-term negative impact this disqualification could have on the young players' morale and careers.