Counter Logic Gaming Faces Visa Issues Ahead of World Championships
Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) recently announced that their jungler, Jake “Xmithie” Puchero, will not be able to attend the upcoming World Championships due to visa issues. The tournament is set to begin on October 1st and will be held in various European countries. To fill the void, CLG has chosen Jae-Hyun “Huhi” Choi, who has been a substitute on the roster since the beginning of the Summer LCS Split.
CLG Faces Challenges with Group Drawing
Unfortunately, the loss of their starting jungler comes at a crucial time for CLG, as the group drawing for the tournament has not been in their favor. CLG has been placed in Group A, alongside the Koo Tigers, Flash Wolves, and paiN Gaming. Many consider this group to be the easiest for CLG and the Koo Tigers, making the absence of Xmithie even more impactful.
Understanding Xmithie’s Visa Issues
Visa issues have plagued Xmithie in the past as well. During a previous event, he was unable to secure a visa to play in Germany and was temporarily replaced on the roster. It is important to note that Xmithie is not a US passport holder, as many assume. He is actually a citizen of the Philippines and currently holds a green card in the US. The process of naturalization is still pending for him due to personal reasons or unknown factors.
Hope for Resolution
Xmithie’s situation reflects a larger issue faced by Filipino eSports teams in obtaining visas for international competitions, particularly in Dota 2. Efforts have been made to seek assistance from the Philippine eSports Organization (PeSO) and Senator Bam Aquino of the Filipino government, who has previously helped resolve visa issues for Rave, a Dota 2 team. The hope is that Senator Aquino can assist CLG in obtaining the necessary visas and ensuring that the team will be at full strength for the World Championships.
What are your thoughts on the situation Xmithie and CLG are facing? Will they be able to resolve the visa issues in time, or will they have to rely on Huhi for the tournament? Share your opinions in the comments below and stay tuned to eSports Guru for updates!
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