If you follow a little bit news international, you couldn’t miss it of this international upheaval. Russia launched on Thursday theinvasion of neighboring Ukrainesponsored by President Vladimir Putin, and in these difficult times, esports can take a back seat. Within the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers on VALORANT, there are also 13 Russian players as well as two Ukrainians. For this reason, Riot Games has decided to postpone the 3rd week of the competition, which was to begin on January 25, as announced on Twitter.
After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone VCT EMEA Week 3 games. Our community’s welfare is integral to us and at this time, our number one priority is to support the players, casters, staff and fans affected by the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) February 24, 2022
After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone the VCT EMEA Week 3 matches. The well-being of our community is important to us and at this time our main priority is to support the players, casters, staff and fans affected by this escalating conflict in Ukraine.
Within these Challengers, certain teams concerned are composed of Russian and Ukrainian players. It’s about by Natus Vincere, FunPlus Phoenix and Gambit Esports. The 15 players concerned therefore still represent 25% of the overall tournament roster and it would be somewhat difficult to ask them to play at present, as they and their family members find themselves in the midst of this military conflict.
These Challengers are not cancelled, however, but just pushed back. Riot Games has also stated that an announcement will be made regarding a potential Challengers resumption date as soon as possiblebut, not knowing how the situation will develop in Ukraine, for the moment, no one can come forward.
The Masters 1 of 2022, which will once again take place in Reykjavik, will begin on April 10. The EMEA Challengers were planned to end on March 27. If they are rescheduled, some matches could therefore be played on days when the calendar is free however, it is unclear when this conflict will conclude but as Riot saidit is obvious that the well-being and the life of the players and the various persons concerned goes well before esports and competitions, even major ones.