In 2019, 56.7% of children aged 12–17 participated in sports, compared to 53.5% of those aged 6–11. By 2022, these numbers had nearly reversed: participation among older kids dropped by 4.6 points to 52.1%, while younger children’s participation rose by 2.1 points to 55.7%. What explains this shift? A major factor is the growing crisis of age cheating, a practice that is not only unfair but also threatens the safety and future of youth sports in Kenya (Ochor, Bassey, & Orunaboka, 2025).
This article highlights the widespread problem of age fraud in Kenyan youth sports—why it matters, how it harms children, and what must be done to restore integrity and safety. The issue is urgent for anyone who values child protection, sportsmanship, and the future of fair competition.
The Scope and Impact of Age Cheating
Youth sports are a cornerstone of development across Kenya and Africa. They promote physical and mental health, teach life skills, and open doors to economic and social growth. Yet rampant age cheating is eroding these benefits, putting children at risk and undermining the credibility of competitions.
Age fraud—where athletes falsify their ages to compete in younger categories—is becoming alarmingly common. Athletics Kenya (AK) recently revealed that 26 athletes had doctored their birth documents to appear younger. AK President Jackson Tuwei warned, “This problem is denying young athletes the chance to compete fairly”. Many resort to this deception for prize money, sponsorships, or to qualify for age-restricted events.
The problem extends beyond athletics. African football has also been plagued by age scandals—from controversies involving stars like Nwankwo Kanu and Samuel Eto’o to accusations from coaches and officials. Medhat Shalaby of the Egyptian Football Association describes age fraud as a “cancer” in African football, one that renders tournaments meaningless and undermines the sport’s development.
A recent incident at a youth tournament in Kenya reignited public outrage and renewed calls for reform. As Storm Trentham, CEO of DBA Africa, put it: “When your goal is to change lives through youth sport, but age cheating is so widespread in Africa, you’re forced to fight for fairness, integrity, and safety before the game even begins” (DBA Africa, 2025).
Why Age Cheating Is Dangerous
The consequences of age cheating go far beyond unfair competition. When older, more physically mature athletes compete against younger children, the risks multiply:
• Increased risk of injury for younger, less developed players
• Honest athletes sidelined or discouraged from participating
• Erosion of confidence and enjoyment in sport
• A message that cheating is acceptable if it leads to victory
• Long-term damage to integrity and character development
Coaches, federations, and tournament organizers who ignore or enable age fraud fail in their duty to protect children. They are not only complicit in unfairness but also expose young athletes to physical and psychological harm.
The Broader Consequences
Research shows that 83.2% of respondents believe age fraud blocks genuine young athletes from advancing, while 76.1% say it leads to unfair competition and 64.9% note it results in short-lived sports careers. Age cheating also strips young athletes of the chance to prove themselves and undermines the spirit of fair play, discouraging honest participation (Ochor, Bassey, & Orunaboka, 2025).
What’s Being Done—and What Must Change
Athletics Kenya has introduced several reforms to tackle age cheating:
• Biometric registration for all athletes to verify identities
• Collaboration with government offices to confirm birth certificates and passports
• Bans for athletes found guilty of age fraud (The Star, 2024)
These measures aim to safeguard the future of Kenyan athletics and preserve its reputation. However, real change requires a collective effort from federations, coaches, schools, and officials:
• Acknowledge the problem and call it what it is—cheating
• Enforce strict ID and age verification using digital systems
• Support and reward coaches and clubs that play by the rules
• Educate parents, players, and educators about the dangers and consequences of age fraud (DBA Africa, 2025)
Every child deserves the right to play and compete in a safe, fair environment. Age cheating robs them of this right and sends a dangerous message: that winning matters more than honesty or safety. If we want to nurture a new generation of strong, principled athletes, protecting their right to fair competition must come first.
by Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com
References
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-07-09-eradicate-the-evil-of-age-cheating-in-sports
Age cheating is hurting African football [Sport] | Africanews
https://dbaafrica.com/athlete-safety-and-integrity/
Ochor, D. C., Udeme Bassey, & Orunaboka, T. T. (2025). Age Fraud in Sports: Implications for Sustainable Talent Development and Athlete Well-Being in Rivers State. African Journal of Sports and Physical Sciences, 3(1), 25-42. https://doi.org/10.62154/ajsps.2025.03.010685
This article highlights the widespread problem of age fraud in Kenyan youth sports—why it matters, how it harms children, and what must be done to restore integrity and safety. The issue is urgent for anyone who values child protection, sportsmanship, and the future of fair competition.
The Scope and Impact of Age Cheating
Youth sports are a cornerstone of development across Kenya and Africa. They promote physical and mental health, teach life skills, and open doors to economic and social growth. Yet rampant age cheating is eroding these benefits, putting children at risk and undermining the credibility of competitions.
Age fraud—where athletes falsify their ages to compete in younger categories—is becoming alarmingly common. Athletics Kenya (AK) recently revealed that 26 athletes had doctored their birth documents to appear younger. AK President Jackson Tuwei warned, “This problem is denying young athletes the chance to compete fairly”. Many resort to this deception for prize money, sponsorships, or to qualify for age-restricted events.
The problem extends beyond athletics. African football has also been plagued by age scandals—from controversies involving stars like Nwankwo Kanu and Samuel Eto’o to accusations from coaches and officials. Medhat Shalaby of the Egyptian Football Association describes age fraud as a “cancer” in African football, one that renders tournaments meaningless and undermines the sport’s development.
A recent incident at a youth tournament in Kenya reignited public outrage and renewed calls for reform. As Storm Trentham, CEO of DBA Africa, put it: “When your goal is to change lives through youth sport, but age cheating is so widespread in Africa, you’re forced to fight for fairness, integrity, and safety before the game even begins” (DBA Africa, 2025).
Why Age Cheating Is Dangerous
The consequences of age cheating go far beyond unfair competition. When older, more physically mature athletes compete against younger children, the risks multiply:
• Increased risk of injury for younger, less developed players
• Honest athletes sidelined or discouraged from participating
• Erosion of confidence and enjoyment in sport
• A message that cheating is acceptable if it leads to victory
• Long-term damage to integrity and character development
Coaches, federations, and tournament organizers who ignore or enable age fraud fail in their duty to protect children. They are not only complicit in unfairness but also expose young athletes to physical and psychological harm.
The Broader Consequences
Research shows that 83.2% of respondents believe age fraud blocks genuine young athletes from advancing, while 76.1% say it leads to unfair competition and 64.9% note it results in short-lived sports careers. Age cheating also strips young athletes of the chance to prove themselves and undermines the spirit of fair play, discouraging honest participation (Ochor, Bassey, & Orunaboka, 2025).
What’s Being Done—and What Must Change
Athletics Kenya has introduced several reforms to tackle age cheating:
• Biometric registration for all athletes to verify identities
• Collaboration with government offices to confirm birth certificates and passports
• Bans for athletes found guilty of age fraud (The Star, 2024)
These measures aim to safeguard the future of Kenyan athletics and preserve its reputation. However, real change requires a collective effort from federations, coaches, schools, and officials:
• Acknowledge the problem and call it what it is—cheating
• Enforce strict ID and age verification using digital systems
• Support and reward coaches and clubs that play by the rules
• Educate parents, players, and educators about the dangers and consequences of age fraud (DBA Africa, 2025)
Every child deserves the right to play and compete in a safe, fair environment. Age cheating robs them of this right and sends a dangerous message: that winning matters more than honesty or safety. If we want to nurture a new generation of strong, principled athletes, protecting their right to fair competition must come first.
by Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com
References
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-07-09-eradicate-the-evil-of-age-cheating-in-sports
Age cheating is hurting African football [Sport] | Africanews
https://dbaafrica.com/athlete-safety-and-integrity/
Ochor, D. C., Udeme Bassey, & Orunaboka, T. T. (2025). Age Fraud in Sports: Implications for Sustainable Talent Development and Athlete Well-Being in Rivers State. African Journal of Sports and Physical Sciences, 3(1), 25-42. https://doi.org/10.62154/ajsps.2025.03.010685
