Maybe it does make the most sense for them, but that doesn't validate them as athletes; it's simply a work-around.
It's not a one sided thing here, the government plays an active role in their immigration.
This is a topic of discussion in many countries' governments right now.
If that were the case gamers playing in the blizz-con competitions back in the day would need those same visas - I don't think they did and they took home prize money no matter what country they came from.
What about evo? How many competitors throughout the years had sport visas? Up until now, not many of them.
And yeah the gov't plays an active role because they want a piece of the action; they see an opportunity for profit and they got in with the visas - they don't do it because of the thought that these are sporting events.
I think you're starting to see why it's an issue finally.