Fake certificates by ‘trampoline players’ on rise in Maharashtra

The variety of faux certificates being furnished by “trampoline players” for getting jobs within the Maharashtra State Sports Department (MSSD) has gone by way of the roof with greater than 262 candidates being blacklisted for forgery over six years.

Om Prakash Bakoria, commissioner, MSSD stated that of the candidates who had utilized for jobs with the division, solely three had furnished real certificates over the stated interval. “There are dubious cases in other disciplines too, such as ice hockey, powerlifting and sepak takraw, but the maximum fake certificates are in trampoline (now part of gymnastics).”

As per norms, meritorious national- and state-level athletes get a 5 per cent quota in state authorities jobs. “Preliminary investigation by the sports department has revealed that 32 candidates from Aurangabad and 22 from Nagpur — all in trampoline — had submitted bogus certificates (in the past six years),” added Bakoria.

A state-level medal winner can get a job as a constable, trainer or clerk in a financial institution. “The stakes are higher for national and international athletes,” stated a state division official on situation of anonymity.

Three years in the past Vijay Sadashiv Borkar from Kolhapur district allegedly submitted a faux sports activities certificates to the sports activities division for verification, claiming he received bronze on the nationwide trampoline championship in Mumbai (December 27-29, 2013). The sports activities division filed an FIR in June this 12 months towards Borkar. “It is just the tip of the iceberg,” one other official acquainted with the developments stated.

Now, MSSD has widened the purview of its investigation. “In the last five months, investigation have been more thorough and more disciplines are under scrutiny,” Bakoria added.

Former Maharashtra Trampoline Association secretary Rajinder Pathania , who can be a Sports Authority of India official now posted in Kolkata after serving in Aurangabad, has blamed native sports activities officers for the manipulation. “I have submitted all the records to the sports department… It’s a good move to clean up the system,” stated Pathania, including, “I had resigned from the post in 2005. I have no idea what has happened after that.”

Harjinder Singh, common secretary, Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), says, “If my state unit is at fault, we can suspend the officials and constitute a new body.” However, Prashant Chavan, secretary-general, Maharashtra Ice Hockey Association, denies any wrongdoing. “I’ve not indulged in any wrongful activity,” he stated.

Chavan says, throughout a state-level ice-hockey competitors, greater than 20 groups take part. “Each team has 22 players but only six, including the goalkeeper, compete. But medals are awarded to every individual of the winning team. That’s the reason for so many certificates being awarded.”

As per the brand new protocol, MSSD has made it obligatory for state sports activities our bodies to ship the outcomes of competitions instantly after an occasion. “A government observer is also mandatory, or else the results will be declared null and void,” an official acquainted with the developments stated.