Age cheating, also known as age fraud or age fabrication, involves deliberately misrepresenting an athlete’s true age through falsified documents such as birth certificates, passports, or national IDs.
In athletics, this typically means:
- Over-age athletes competing in youth/junior categories (e.g., U18 or U20) to gain unfair advantages from greater physical maturity, strength, experience, and development
- Rarely, under-age misrepresentation to meet senior eligibility rules (though less common in athletics)
Age categories in athletics exist to ensure fair, safe, and developmentally appropriate competition. Violating them undermines the core principles of fair play and is strictly prohibited under World Athletics rules. Confirmed cases can result in medal stripping, result nullification, bans (often lengthy or lifetime), and referral to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
Why is Age Cheating a Concern in Uganda and Africa?
Age fraud is unfortunately a widespread issue across African sports, often described as a “scourge” due to challenges like inconsistent birth registration (especially in rural areas), socioeconomic pressures, pursuit of scholarships/contracts, and national prestige. In East Africa, including Uganda, it has historically affected youth development in multiple sports, though it is most documented in football.
In athletics, the problem persists regionally (e.g., ongoing investigations in neighboring countries involving dozens of athletes). While specific high-profile cases in Ugandan athletics are not widely publicized, the Uganda Athletics (UA) recognizes it as a serious threat comparable to doping, which erodes trust, blocks genuine young talent, and damages Uganda’s growing international reputation in the sport (home to stars like Joshua Cheptegei).
Consequences of Age Cheating
Age fraud harms everyone involved in athletics:
| Category | Impact on Victims / Sport | Impact on the Cheater / Involved Parties |
| Fair Play | Denies deserving young Ugandan athletes’ opportunities (e.g., national selection, scholarships, podiums) | Titles/medals stripped; performances nullified |
| Physical Safety | Higher injury risk for younger athletes facing physically mature opponents | Increased burnout/injury later in career |
| Development | Hinders talent pathway for genuine juniors; short-term “success” for fraudsters | Loss of long-term progression; reputational damage |
| Psychological | Frustration, loss of confidence for cheated athletes | Stress, shame, identity issues for those involved |
| Integrity & Reputation | Erodes public/fan trust; risks sanctions from World Athletics | Fines, suspensions for coaches/parents/officials; potential criminal penalties under Ugandan law |
Under Uganda’s National Sports Act 2023 (Section 69), falsifying age/identity in sports is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a substantial fine.
Uganda Athletics (UA) Strong Commitment to Preventing Age Cheating, at the Uganda Athletics Federation (UA), we maintain zero tolerance for age fraud as a fundamental part of our ethics and integrity framework. We are fully aligned with World Athletics standards and Uganda’s national laws to protect clean athletes, ensure fair competition, and nurture genuine talent for Uganda’s future success on the global stage.
To actively prevent and detect age cheating, UA implements:
- Mandatory registration for all athletes competing in UA-organized events (effective since early 2025 measures)
- Strict document verification — original birth certificates, National Identification Number (NIN), Learner Identification Number (LIN), photographs, and passports
- Cross-checking against official databases and World Athletics records
- Potential use of advanced verification methods (e.g., in collaboration with relevant authorities) for high-stakes youth/junior events
- Immediate suspension and disciplinary action for any false information, with referral to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and National authorities where necessary
- Education and awareness programs for athletes, coaches, parents, and clubs on the severe harms of age fraud and the value of honest competition
- Confidential reporting channels — report suspicions safely via our email uga@mf.worldathletics.org
These measures support our mission to develop transparent, credible athletics in Uganda, ensuring young talents like those emerging in cross-country, track, and field can compete fairly and reach their full potential.
True excellence in Ugandan athletics comes from hard work, dedication, and integrity — never from deception. By upholding these standards, we protect the spirit of our sport and inspire the next generation of honest champions. Join us in building a fairer future for athletics in Uganda!