In a landmark decision aimed at curbing age fraud in sports, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has barred Abdul Hadi, a swimmer from Faisalabad, from competing in the Under-12 age category following directions from the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The case dates back to 2024, when allegations emerged that the swimmer was misrepresenting his age to compete in a lower age category. Although Abdul Hadi claimed to be 11 years old, a medical examination conducted at the time reportedly established that he was overage.
Following nearly two years of legal proceedings, the Lahore High Court directed the Pakistan Sports Board to issue its decision on the matter. The PSB has now announced its final decision, disqualifying the swimmer from participation in the Under-12 category.
The decision is being viewed as an important step towards addressing age manipulation in Pakistani sports. Such practices undermine fair competition, deprive deserving young athletes of opportunities and raise questions about the credibility of sporting achievements.
The landmark ruling also sends a strong message that age-related eligibility rules must be respected and enforced to protect the integrity of sports in Pakistan.
