KSSSA introduces strict measures to curb age cheating

The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) has introduced strict guidelines for this year’s games to curb age cheating.
KSSSA Secretary General David Ngugi last year raised concerns about the malpractice, prompting the association to implement tight measures to ensure fair play.
In a statement, KSSSA announced that all student-athletes must present school identity cards containing new key details.
“Students competing in the games are required to have school IDs that display their full names, admission, class and date, date of birth and KCPE year,” the statement read in part.
“Further, the ID is required to have a UPI (Unique Personal Identifier) number, a stamp cut across the student’s chest on the photo and signed by the school principal.”
For transfer cases, the card should indicate the previous school and the date of admission, with a maximum of two players transferring from the same school eligible.
“The ID should show transfer school, C.O.A (Certificate of Admission) and date of admission. At most two players transferring from the same school are allowed to join the team.”
Students who sat for the 2024 KCSE and opted to repeat will be ineligible.
KSSSA considers them to have already completed school. Schools are required to submit three certified group photos for team sports, featuring all players in school uniform alongside the principal and coaching staff.
“Include all players taken in school uniform with the principal and coach and should be certified at the back by the school principal.”
Additionally, each school must provide six copies of the official team list, printed on the school’s letterhead and containing crucial details such as students’ names, admission numbers, class details, date of birth, KCPE index number, UPI number and certified by the principal.
KSSSA has set squad limits for the sporting disciplines. Football and hockey teams will have 20 players, 12 for volleyball, 12 for basketball five-a-side, five for basketball 3-a-side, 14 each for handball and netball, 12 for rugby 7s and 25 players for rugby 15s.
Racquet games such as badminton, table tennis and lawn tennis will have six players each, while swimming teams will consist of 15 athletes. Athletics teams will be determined by event requirements.