ImbaTV co-founder thinks Kuku’s punishment is still too light

TNC is still participating in the Southeast Asian qualifiers with Kuku, the player who created the drama, and the controversy continues.

It seems that the controversy between the Chinese community and Southeast Asia has not ended. Although official announcements from Valve, StarLadder and ImbaTV have not been made yet, TNC is still participating in the Southeast Asian qualifiers with Kuku.

It is currently unknown if Kuku will be allowed to attend and enter China for the Chongqing Major or TI9. A well-known face in the Chinese Dota 2 community shared his thoughts on this issue. That person is none other than one of the founders of the event organization company ImbaTV. ImbaTV will co-host the upcoming Major with StarLadder in China.

Zhang “BBC” Hongsheng, the host of the China channel at the previous three TI events, spoke out on Weibo. He expressed disappointment in TNC and specifically Kuku in handling this drama. The BBC said the TNC had deliberately ignored the incident and said the current penalty was not enough and did not solve the problem.

Right now, what upsets the Chinese community the most, aside from Kuku’s racist comment three weeks ago, is the fact that Kuku personally has never apologized. However, on November 2, Kuku posted this status line on his personal Facebook:

“I would like to apologize for my actions this morning in a pub game. I have made slanderous words about the Chinese community. Even though there were no Chinese players in that match, I didn’t count that I also had fans watching the match. As a pro player, I have an obligation to set an example for everyone, especially those who admire me. From now on, I promise to always be careful with my actions and this will not happen again. Thanks for understanding me. I will improve myself.”

For some reason, this Facebook post was not noticed by the media or stakeholders. Everyone’s attention was on the fabricated story on Weibo, and although the TNC manager apologized and took responsibility for the post, it seems the Chinese community expected Kuku to do more.

Before the Southeast Asian qualifiers began, TNC shared information about Kuku’s penalty, but even that decision could not please the BBC. TNC said that even though they won the right to participate in the Chongqing Major, half of Kuku’s earnings will be donated to a charity in China and asked the Chinese community to find the right person and group to receive the money.

It is our best interest to educate our players to own up on their mistakes, take full responsibility and correct their wrong actions. To clarify the term “penalty/fine” we posted last time, 50% of Kuku’s winnings from KL Major, Chongqing Major (if we qualify) 1/4

— TNC Predator (@TNCPredator) November 25, 2018

As for the beneficiary, we are committed in giving assistance to the Chinese community.

We will be asking help from some Chinese people whom we know to help us find the right person/group to help. We will keep everyone updated.
3/4

— TNC Predator (@TNCPredator) November 25, 2018

The BBC is a voice in the Dota 2 community and on Weibo he bluntly said, “I don’t really want your money. I just want you to understand what you did wrong.”

BBC: “He scolded and insulted me. That took me by surprise, but now that I’ve recovered, I’ve begun planning my revenge. Kuku didn’t care, and he even said that someone else said it but not me. I have gathered my brethren and am ready to respond. Kuku was panicking and wanted to use the money to settle things smoothly. I just want you to understand what I did wrong. Maybe it was only after feeling everything that he realized the lesson. If we use tolerance to forgive hatred, how should tolerance be compensated? Those are my thoughts right now.”

The first response to the BBC post came from a fan as follows:

“So you mean you want the Chinese and Southeast Asian communities to continue to hate each other? Valve, although usually not involved in these issues, has also spoken out. The other party was fined and apologized, now Kuku is banned from attending. What’s next, lifetime ban? Of course, he makes mistakes, but shouldn’t we be more generous?”

Currently, TNC and Kuku are focusing on qualifying matches. We still hope that this drama will find a solution and Kuku will officially apologize for his statements, as well as Valve to make a more clear statement on how they want to handle this case.

According to VPEsports