BANGKOK, Thailand – The captain of Thailand’s women’s Arena of Valor (RoV) team on Tuesday denied any involvement in a misconduct scandal that forced the host nation to withdraw from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The Thailand E-Sports Federation (TESF) yesterday pulled the entire squad from the competition after player Napat “Tokyogurlz” Warasin was found to have used unauthorized software and modified hardware during a 0-3 loss to Vietnam on Monday. The violations led to allegations of “ghosting,” where an external party controls the game on a player’s behalf.
“Our dreams are shattered,” said team captain Chomkon Phumsinin. “We practiced 10 hours a day for a year. I suspected something two days ago and confronted her, but she became angry. We had no evidence and no part in this.”
TESF President Santi Lothong said the decision to withdraw the full team was made to “respect the rules and friendship” of the regional games.
Following the disqualification, Napat’s professional club, Talon, announced it had terminated her contract. Garena, the game’s publisher, also issued an indefinite ban on the player from all sanctioned Arena of Valor tournaments. (TNA)
