Banned Athlete “Recycles” Identity, Federation to File FIR

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced it will lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against Sachin Poswal, a four‑year suspended athlete, after it emerged he had acquired multiple Aadhaar cards under different names and competed in national events under fake identities .

A String of Fake Identities

Poswal, whose suspension runs until January 2028, allegedly held as many as four separate Aadhaar cards in various names—twice altering his own and his father’s name—to secure fresh athlete IDs . In the 2025 National Junior Federation U‑20 Championships at Prayagraj, he competed in the 1,500 m and 3,000 m heats using the alias Rachin Gujjar, even topping his 1,500 m heat with a 3:56.53 clocking before being disqualified .This marks the third known appearance under a false identity. Last June, he ran the men’s 1,500 m in the Delhi State Summer Athletics Meet under one name, and in December he again took part in an 8 km U‑20 cross‑country race as “Sachin Gurjar,” even winning a podium place .

AFI to Take Legal and Internal Action

AFI spokesman Adille Sumariwalla, formerly president of the body, expressed sharp concern over Poswal’s identity manipulation. “Nobody knows his real name … he has even changed his father’s name. He is such a cheat,” said Sumariwalla after a meeting in New Delhi. He confirmed that the AFI would file an FIR and also launch an internal inquiry to investigate whether any staffer was complicit .He added that AFI officials had attempted to track Poswal to locations listed on the bogus Aadhaar cards but found he was untraceable .

A Challenge for Sporting Governance

This brazen scheme shines a spotlight on the loopholes in athlete vetting systems. For a suspended athlete to repeatedly re-registration using identity fraud suggests systemic weakness, both at the state level and in national oversight mechanisms. The AFI’s dual-path response—legal redress coupled with internal review—signals a commitment to tightening such gaps.FIR Filing: With the FIR imminent, a police probe will follow to uncover how Poswal obtained multiple Aadhaar cards and identification documents.

Internal Audit: The AFI aims to determine if any official aided or turned a blind eye, and to reform processes for identity verification of athletes.

Enhanced Scrutiny: The case may prompt broader reforms, including enhanced cross-checks with UID systems and inter-state coordination to prevent identity fraud in sports.

Sachin Poswal’s audacious reappearance under false names has embarrassed Indian athletics at a national meet. But the AFI’s decisive plan to engage law enforcement and investigate internal failures may well serve as a defining moment—one that could strengthen the integrity of athlete registration and deter future fraud.

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