Valorant announced an updated list of team allocations for VCT APAC Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ) in light of ZETA DIVISION’s withdrawal and China’s vacancy of their respective slots.
In an announcement released yesterday, the VCT APAC LCQ team allocation change was due to “logistical issues that have the potential to impact the overall competitive integrity of the tournament.” Thus, slots previously allocated for Chinese teams were redistributed to other regions — Japan and Korea specifically.
The newly updated LCQ team allocations are as follows:
- Southeast Asia – 3
- Korea – 3
- Japan – 3
- South Asia – 1
The announcement also mentioned the withdrawal of ZETA DIVISION from the tournament.
『2021 VALORANT Champions Tour – APAC ラストチャンス予選』の出場辞退に関してhttps://t.co/3OXa0De0jA pic.twitter.com/VG9tJgORCn
— ZETA DIVISION (@zetadivision) September 24, 2021
In a statement, ZETA DIVISION revealed that they have to strengthen and reorganize the team. This came as a surprise to many as the Japanese Valorant org has recently competed in the recently concluded Berlin Masters.
Meanwhile, the South Asian (SA) Valorant scene wasn’t amused with the decision of giving the slots to Korea and Japan respectively. Valorant then justified their decision on Twitter saying the decision was made simply because both regions did well in global events and viewership.
We appreciate the enthusiasm of our South Asian fans, but we had compelling reasons to give those two vacated slots to Korea and Japan. (1/3)
— VALORANT India & South Asia (@VALORANTinsa) September 24, 2021
Both markets have overperformed in global events this year, either competitively or in terms of viewership, and we are confident that reallocating the teams to Korea and Japan will further drive the competitive bar and make for an incredibly exciting APAC LCQ. (2/3)
— VALORANT India & South Asia (@VALORANTinsa) September 24, 2021
We would also like to assure the fans that we're committed to continuing to build the South Asian VALORANT scene in coming years. We are grateful for all the love South Asian fans have given us. (3/3)
— VALORANT India & South Asia (@VALORANTinsa) September 24, 2021
However, this explanation did not please the SA region as they then took to Twitter to voice out their discontent.
What does an Esports Player dream of?
To be the No.1 in his/her country?-NO
It is to represent his/her Country Internationally and put his country's flag on the map of Esports.
This is what players GRIND for,but this decision doesn't seem to be worth the grind @playVALORANTsa pic.twitter.com/QpsGF3YqNo— Vishal Sharma (@ha1Vaan) September 24, 2021
RIOT to SA –
First Strike – Slot for SA? – next time
Reykjavík- Slot for SA? – next time
Berlin – Slot for SA? we give u 1 slot for LCQ,
LCQ – china gives up 2 slot , SEA: 3 KR: 3 JP: 3 SA: 1 "fair enough now"
"We have given SA so many opportunities next time "
2022: Scene dead.— Megatronic (@megatronic_2000) September 24, 2021
But the thing is if we dont get chance how will we show you our global performance,its like saying you need to get 10 year experience to an on campus recruitment ,if we get chance we will show you what India valorant scene is made off ❤
— Lord (@lordharryish) September 24, 2021
The APAC LCQ will kick off this October and will run October 11-17, 2021. The online-only tournament will continue to see 10 teams from the 4 remaining regions.