The decision of the Ukraine Esports Federation (UESF) to withdraw its teams from the IESF World Championship 2023 has been met with criticism. The UESF made this move following a vote that allowed Russian players to compete under their country’s name and flag. James Banks, the event host, believes that Ukraine should have taken the opportunity to showcase its strength on the world stage.
Banks expressed his disagreement with the UESF’s decision in an interview with Players. He argued that boycotting the event would result in less visibility for Ukraine, whereas competing and then boycotting would have made a stronger statement. He emphasized the importance of Ukrainian players demonstrating their dedication, skill, and commitment to inspire and motivate their fellow citizens.
The reinstatement of Russia came after a vote among participating nations, with 32 votes in favor, 13 against, and 25 abstentions, according to the Russian Federation’s statement. The statement emphasized that discrimination against athletes based on nationality or any other grounds is unacceptable, and that sport should be a unifying force.
In response to the decision, several Ukrainian representatives withdrew from the IESF 2023 on August 30. They cited the “disgraceful decision” by the IESF regarding the re-entry of members from a “terrorist country” as the reason for their refusal to continue participating in the tournament.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which began in February 2022, has led to many sports federations allowing Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag or banning them altogether. This is due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. For instance, Russian soccer teams have been prohibited from participating in the UEFA Champions League since the invasion.
Overall, the UESF’s decision to withdraw from the IESF World Championship 2023 has sparked criticism, with many believing that Ukrainian players should have seized the opportunity to showcase their strength and talent on the global stage. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to impact various sports events, leading to decisions regarding the participation of Russian athletes under a neutral flag.
Source: DOTESPORTS
