Uganda Forced to Drop Out of Quidditch World Cup

by · July 9, 2016

Several weeks ago, MuggleNet’s SnitchCenter discussed how Uganda would be representing Africa in the upcoming International Quidditch Association (IQA) Quidditch World Cup as the only team from the continent. This would add diversity to the otherwise heavily Western tournament taking place July 23–24. Unfortunately, recent events have forced Team Uganda to drop out of the tournament.

For the past few months, Team Uganda has been raising funds to be able to travel to and participate in the tournament, and the team has raised nearly 700% of its original goal. Unfortunately, the hard work of the team and the generosity of the donors were not enough to get Team Uganda to this year’s World Cup.

Citizens of Uganda who wish to visit Germany must prove their financial stability, typically in the form of bank or sponsorship statements. The Uganda Quidditch Team faced complications that were unable to be remedied in time for the tournament. IQA’s Facebook post states,

However, these documents are rare among rural Ugandans, and sadly Team Uganda [was] unable to gather them in time for their visa interviews. After several calls and conversations with the embassy, it was determined that it would be impossible to rearrange the visa interviews, and consequently the team would not be able to enter Germany.

Initially, the IQA was not going to offer any refunds to donors, but the organization went back on this statement and is offering refunds to donors that put in a request for them. More information on refunds can be found here.

The IQA has assured fans that this will not impact the tournament structure besides the pool that Uganda was to be in. Initially, Uganda was going to be in Pool 1, or Group A, with four other teams.

 

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The IQA states,

Since Uganda and Slovenia were on equal footing coming into the tournament, Team Slovenia will move up and replace Uganda as the fourth team in Pool 1. Pool 1 will now be a [g]roup of 4.

SnitchCenter is dismayed by this news and hopes to see Team Uganda represent its continent at a Quidditch World Cup in the future.