Laotian Times and AFP – The eSports competitions at the 33rd Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in Thailand have garnered significant regional interest, highlighted by a groundbreaking silver medal achievement for Laos and a controversy surrounding the host nation. The Lao women’s team made history by securing the country’s first-ever silver medal in an international esports competition, finishing second in the Arena of Valor women’s team event. This milestone represents a pivotal moment for the development of esports in Laos.
This notable accomplishment occurred during a tournament that faced scrutiny after a Thai esports player was expelled for cheating, according to the host’s esports federation. On December 16, they announced that Warasin Naphat, a player from Thailand, had “committed an offence… by using unauthorised third-party software or hardware modification during Game 1” of a match on December 15. Following a thorough investigation, conclusive evidence led to her expulsion from the entire esports competition, as outlined in a letter from a SEA Games delegate released by the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF).
The TESF confirmed their acceptance of the organizers’ decision to expel Warasin and subsequently declared the withdrawal of her entire team from the SEA Games. This incident underscores the increasing seriousness with which esports organizations are treating violations of competition integrity. Esports, recognized as a legitimate competitive format, was first included in the SEA Games in 2019, and this year’s event features competitions in four categories: FC Online, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, and Arena of Valor.
The SEA Games officially opened last week and will run until December 20 in Bangkok and the neighboring coastal province of Chonburi, attracting thousands of athletes from Southeast Asian nations competing in various disciplines, from football and fencing to skateboarding and combat sports. However, the celebration of regional athletic prowess is overshadowed by deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia over a long-standing border dispute. Phnom Penh announced its athletes’ withdrawal a day after the opening ceremony, citing “safety reasons” for their exit.
As the host nation, Thailand currently leads the overall medal count, followed closely by Indonesia and Vietnam. This year’s SEA Games serves not only as a platform for athletic excellence but also highlights the growing challenges and controversies within the burgeoning esports landscape in Southeast Asia.
