BCCI Aims To Cut Costs By 80 Per Cent, Set To Experiment On Age Detection Software

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• Jul 23, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

Digital Desk: In an effort to reduce
costs by as much as 80%, the BCCI will test a software to identify age fraud in
addition to the current TW3 approach. The TW3 method (based on an X-ray of the
left hand and wrist) is being used by the BCCI, which has a zero tolerance attitude
regarding age fraud. The proposed use of BoneXpert Software will deliver an
instantaneous response and cost only Rs 288 compared to the current method,
which costs Rs 2400 per bone test and takes roughly 3–4 days.

The X-rays are taken at the
different home centres of state associations at the X-ray centre in the
presence of an impartial BCCI observer and transmitted to the BCCI AVP
Department, according to a BCCI memo outlining the entire procedure. For
interpretation of bone age, the BCCI AVP department compiles them in the
appropriate format and sends it to two (2) impartial radiologists on the BCCI
panel. The reporting process is particularly time-consuming because each
radiologist must interpret roughly 8 to 9 associations while simultaneously
scoring 38 associations.

Depending on their workload and the
quantity of participants, the consultants' reporting of associations may take
anywhere from one day to three to four days to complete. The entire process is
finished in around two (2) months. On the experiment, the board will
collaborate with the state associations.

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Although the trial data on the few
X-rays in our databank has met our expectations, we still wish to run a trial
with many X-rays (about 3800) from all associations to ensure that the software
is functioning as intended.

As a result, the message continued,
"we are proposing to deploy this software on a trial basis in addition to
our traditional approach of manual x-ray interpretation by radiologists."

At the age group level, age fraud is
pervasive nationwide. Rasikh Alam, a pacer for Jammu and Kashmir, was found
guilty of providing a false birth certificate in June 2019 and received a
two-year suspension as a result.

Cricketers Manjot Karla of the U-19
World Cup, Ankit Bawne of the Delhi batters, and Kolkata Knight Riders have all
been found guilty of lying about their ages.

A voluntary disclosure programme for
registered players to disclose whether they had falsified their date of birth
was implemented by the BCCI in August 2020.

Senior men and women cricketers who
commit age fraud receive two-year suspensions from the BCCI.

"Age fraud is a severe issue
that harms the state of the sport. Due to age fraud, a lot of kids who should
be participating in a certain age group don't make it.

Rahul Dravid, the current head coach of India, who was then
the head of the NCA, had said after the announcement of the voluntary
disclosure scheme, "With the BCCI taking stern actions to curb this, it is
only advisable for the players to come forward and abide by the directives
issued by the Board."