The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will soon lower its maximum age of eligibility by one year.
The changes in eligibility rules, which allow student athletes to play in the league until age 24, will start in Season 102.
NCAA Season 100 Management Committee chairman and Lyceum of the Philippines University representative Hercules Callanta said this following a press conference held Tuesday.
Callanta said the current age limit in the league is set at 25 years old in the seniors’ division.
This was done when the school curriculum transitioned to the K to 12 program.
“With the institution of the K to 12, our students will stay in school two more years, so we brought up the maximum years an athlete can play, both in the juniors’ and seniors’ division by one year. But that was because there will be a transition,” said Callanta.
He added that in the juniors, the age limit is at 18 and below.
“We need to make sure that all schools will be able to keep [a] tab of the change in maximum age limit so it’s important to give them time to adjust. So in Season 102, we will entertain 24 below and 18 below for juniors,” he added.
Callanta added that NCAA officials have also lifted the rule recognizing the Special Guest Licenses (SGL) for players.
The Games and Amusements Board implemented the SGL for student-athletes who want to play in professional leagues without losing their amateur status back in 2020.
