Guwahati, Jan. 25: The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) today added fuel to the age-fudging controversy as it accused the Guwahati Sports Association (GSA) of issuing ?misleading? statements over players faking their age during the recent Amarjit Sharma Trophy under-15 inter-district meet in Hailakandi.

ACA secretary Bikash Baruah accused GSA cricket secretary Zehirul Haque of rushing to the media without going through the association?s tournament rules and regulations. The rules, he said, have been approved by the ACA governing body in the presence of representatives from the GSA.

?The same set of rules applied to players of both Guwahati and Silchar. They were registered taking into cognisance the birth certificates produced by the respective associations. In GSA?s case, Haque registered the players,? he said.

Haque had alleged that the tournament organising committee in Hailakandi rejected the GSA?s protest against three overaged players in the Silchar line-up.

Guwahati lost in the quarterfinals against Silchar even as Haque described the under-17 meet as a sham because of the overaged players and the ACA?s refusal to carry out medical tests on the accused.

?Haque is probably not aware that the BCCI has made it mandatory to have the players tested for all meets under the national body. A lot of age-group probables had to go for tests, but the ACA has not made medical tests mandatory in its domestic tournaments. So the question of sending boys for medical tests does not arise. Moreover, we cannot send the boys for tests as and when Haque wishes. What if Silchar demands similar tests for the Guwahati boys? The onus of checking the players? age is on the hands of district associations,? the ACA secretary said.

Baruah said several players from Silchar and Hailakandi had attended state camps and played in age-group teams.

?However, was it not Haque who wanted to field an under-19 player in an under-15 meet? Last but not the least, Haque did not visit Hailakandi during the tournament. His contentions are not based on facts.?

The debate over fudging of age is unlikely to settle soon. ?The GSA will go through ACA?s contentions and then issue a suitable reply. There is nothing personal in this,? Haque said when asked to comment on Baruah?s views.

The ACA also took a dig at NF Railway?s complaint that timing of major meets should be rescheduled to ensure the availability of best players.

?Their problem is common to all district units. If the ACA waits for completion of national engagements, domestic meets cannot be started at all.? Baruah said.