Thai esports player kicked out of 2025 SEA Games due to cheating
An esports player from Thailand has been kicked out of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games for cheating.
In a letter addressed to the Thailand Olympic Committee, the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) announced the expulsion of Arena of Valor Thailand team player Naphat Warasin on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
TESF said conclusive evidence was found that she used an unauthorized third-party software or hardware modification during her first SEA Games match against Vietnam, a violation of the Esports technical handbook. The decision was also deemed final.
Warasin, also known as Tokyogurl, was filmed gesturing with her middle finger up before the camera.
According to the Bangkok Post, her talent agent, TALON TH, has cut ties with her, while event organiser Garena RoV Thailand supported the decision and will ban Warasin from all their future competitions.
TESF president Santi Lohthong and the Asian Esports Federation also announced the withdrawal of the entire Thai women's AOV team from the Games in a show of accountability. Lohthong also apologized and emphasized the need to uphold integrity in esports.
"Please forgive our team for their mistake. My team and I are truly sorry. We love our sport and cannot let anything, no matter who do it, make our sport look so bad," Lothing said.
Arena of Valor, or AOV, is a five-versus-five multiplayer online battle arena game featuring strategic play with heroes in a variety of maps.
This year's esports event includes competitions in four categories: FC Online, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, and Arena of Valor.
The SEA Games officially opened last week and run until December 20 in Bangkok and the nearby coastal province of Chonburi, with thousands of athletes from Southeast Asian nations competing in events ranging from football and fencing to skateboarding, sailing, and combat sports. (with reports from AFP)