It seems like more and more teams and players won’t be participating in the Singapore Major, as NaVi decided to pull out.
Natus Vincere released a statement on their website talking about their decision to not participate in the Major, citing COVID-19 among other reasons. “Natus Vincere esports club made a difficult decision to withdraw from the ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021. The main reason is COVID-19. Yet, it is not just that”
We regret to inform you that we have decided to withdraw from the ONE Esports #SingaporeMajor 2021. The main issue is due to COVID-19 but that’s not all. Here are the answers to all your possible questions.
📰: https://t.co/YvKllzvkWr#navination pic.twitter.com/ahe5qKRG8p
— NAVI (@natusvincere) March 25, 2021
The team goes on to explain that if a player tests positive for the virus upon arrival in Singapore, the team will have to self-quarantine. As it’s unclear how long that quarantine period will last, NaVi would run the risk of not being able to compete at the start of the upcoming DPC season, which they want to avoid. They also went on to cite the lack of capable (and short notice) substitutes. NaVI already reported multiple cases of COVID within the team prior to the event.
In other news Team Asters’ BoBoKa, also known as Borax, will also be missing the Singapore Major. He was allegedly arrested for soliciting prostitution in Shangai, with his personal account later reporting that he will not participate in the Singapore Major due to ‘personal reasons’.
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Image Credit: ONE Esports
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Dota 2 team beastcoast will not be participating in the Singapore Major after a case of COVID-19, instead focusing on the upcoming DPC season.
Beastcoast went on to announce the news on Twitter in a lengthy statement, explaining their reasoning behind pulling out of the Major. “Stinger was exposed to COVID-19 this past week, and our other four players may have also been exposed as a result. Stringer is currently isolating away from the team. However, because of the incubation period of COVID-19, we can’t be certain if our players are positive or not before flying to Singapore.”
In regards to our participation in the Dota Pro Circuit 2021. If you have any further questions, please contact press@beastcoast.gg. pic.twitter.com/qTvHrA2nln
— beastcoast (@beastcoast) March 25, 2021
As a result the team will not be participating in the upcoming Major and will instead start working towards the upcoming DPC season. Beastcoast is not the first team that suffered from COVID infections, as earlier on teams such as Natus Vincere, Team Nigma and T1 have had similar issues. They instead opted to use stand-in players, who they announced earlier this week.
Over the past few days a few voices have spoken out about the Singapore Major, as Valve hasn’t commented on the situation as of yet. While teams have spoken out in favor of returning to a LAN environment, if the current situation keeps up and multiple teams report COVID cases ahead of the tournament, Valve might have to step in.