The highly-anticipated Dota 2 event, The International, is set to return to Seattle, USA in 2023. However, it is already causing problems for teams competing at DreamLeague Season 21. Two players, Aybek “TA2000” Tokayev from Quest Esports and Kim “Gabbi” Santos from Entity, will miss the beginning of the tournament due to visa application complications. As a result, both teams will have to start with stand-in players.
TA2000 had traveled to Indonesia to secure his U.S. visa before The International 2023. Despite choosing a country with a lower visa denial rate, the process took longer than expected, forcing him to miss DreamLeague Season 21. Similarly, Gabbi also faced delays in obtaining his visa.
Both players are expected to rejoin their teams after completing their visa applications. However, this situation raises concerns about whether all attendees of TI12 will be able to obtain their visas in time for the event in October. Visa issues have already caused problems for multiple teams in major tournaments throughout the year, resulting in the need for stand-in players.
Non-European players may face additional challenges when applying for U.S. visas, which could potentially impact their participation in The International. It is crucial for Valve, the organizers of the event, to intervene and ensure that all players can attend. Visa denials not only affect the enjoyment of The International but also have consequences for other events like DreamLeague Season 21, which features a $1 million prize pool.
If visa issues become widespread, teams will need to quickly find suitable substitutes from a limited pool of available Dota 2 players. This can be a challenging task, especially on short notice. The International is not only a prestigious tournament but also an opportunity for teams to test their skills and compete for high stakes.
In conclusion, the visa issues caused by The International 2023 are already impacting teams at DreamLeague Season 21. It is crucial for Valve to address these challenges and ensure that all players can obtain their visas in time for the event. Failure to do so could have significant consequences for the overall experience of The International and other tournaments.
Source: DOTESPORTS
