On the 27th of May 2022, Konami updated their annual event, 'Nationals' to a 'State Championship'. Instead of uniting the players nationally for one event, they split the event into two, which ran on the same days.

This was quite a big upset amongst every competitive player in South Africa, as it not only eliminated the National title, but immediately shut the door on the opportunity to become the Yu-Gi-Oh! world champion for most players.

Airfare and accommodation is usually expensive enough to, prevent any qualifying player for entering the European Championship (South Africa's bridge event to Worlds), that most National winners relied on, to have a shot (even if one in a thousand) to achieve this goal.

This creates a feeling of South Africans never being able to be recognized internationally, and makes entering states feel like a glorified local tournament.

This kills the drive to play for every competitive player I've spoken to since this change, and none of us have taken this well. Most of us are completely turned off from the game. This may lead to Yu-Gi-Oh! turning into a dying game that may only be played recreationally in South Africa.

On behalf of every competitive player in South Africa... Please bring back Nationals! It's why we play.