The average age difference was around four to five years. The spectators who watched under-14 Bengal’s second group league match against Manipur on Tuesday in the under-14 sub-junior national football championship had only words of consolation. 

Once again Berhampore witnessed the farce by the name of football development at the grass-route level as Manipur fielded the team against under-14 Bengal which consisted mostly of the players who were aged not less than 16 to 17 on average. 

It was visible and that is why even after being drubbed 0-6 against the over-aged Manipur, the spectators had only the words of consolation for the Bengal's young kids. 

Bengal's chances of crashing out of the competition from the group league look bright as they have garnered only three points so far after their win against Haryana while Manipur have already six points from two matches and they have their last group league match against Haryana. 

Even if Bengal win their concluding match against Goa on 7th September then it will have six points. As one team from the group will qualify for the final phase, Manipur has almost secured their chances of qualifying for the final round.

Bengal team manager Sanchoy Ghosh when asked about the over-aged issue, revealed, “After discussing with the coach I will submit an official complaint to the match-commissioner against Manipur’s over-aged players. In the case of sub-junior competitions, a proper age-verification system must be maintained by the ruling body. Otherwise, the states which are maintaining the guideline properly regarding the age, will not get justice.” The IFA secretary however could not be contacted for his reactions. 

However, the junior Bengal team will start their campaign against Meghalaya in the junior national championship on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar.