Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Elin Yoojung Moen, has been nominated for the Diversity Award at the HER Awards 2026

1st Vice President of the Norwegian Esports Federation, Elin Yoojung Moen is without doubt the driving force in Norwegian Esports.

The 1st Vice President of the Norwegian Esports Federation, Elin Yoojung Moen, has been nominated for the Diversity Award at the HER Awards 2026 – and has now advanced to the semifinals. The nomination recognizes her work for inclusion, equality, and structural change in esports, both nationally and internationally.

HER Awards is a national award ceremony that highlights women and organizations creating real value through leadership, ownership, and long-term impact. The awards will be presented during the HER Conference & Awards at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on April 27, 2026.

“It means a lot to be nominated. To be seen for the work you put in, and for the values you stand for, gives both motivation and responsibility,” says Elin Yoojung Moen regarding the nomination.

HER Awards is regarded as one of Norway’s largest platforms for highlighting female leaders and role models across technology, business, and society. That Elin Yoojung Moen is now a semifinalist means that her work is being evaluated among a national top tier of candidates. The awards are not only about visibility, but about leadership that creates lasting structural change.

A Clear Voice for Diversity in Esports

Elin Yoojung Moen was the Norwegian Esports Federation’s first female President (2024–2025) and is currently 1st Vice President. She has also been elected to the board of the International Esports Federation (IESF), where she works to improve representation and create more inclusive structures in global esports.

The nomination for the Diversity Award is based on long-term efforts to make esports a safer and more accessible arena for more people. Through her leadership, she has elevated voices that are often unheard, been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and worked toward structural changes that give more people a seat at the table.

Moen describes her leadership as values-based and principled:

“For me, leadership is about building robust and long-term structures. I want a sustainable esports ecosystem where decisions are made based on a holistic perspective and long-term development,” she says in a comment regarding the nomination.

She has, among other things, been a driving force behind amendments to the Norwegian Esports Federation’s statutes that commit the organization to better gender balance in boards and committees, and has used her international roles to open doors for more women and young people in esports and technology. The Diversity Award highlights leaders who contribute to genuine inclusion through action, structure, and culture-building. In an industry still strongly male-dominated, this nomination is an important signal that esports is changing.

A Nomination That Matters for the Entire Community

For the Norwegian Esports Federation, the nomination is also an important recognition of the work being done to build a more inclusive esports environment in Norway.

“Elin doesn’t just talk about diversity – she actually creates structural changes that give more people a seat at the table. Her work shows how esports can be an arena for community, achievement, and societal development,” says Secretary General Jarle Heitmann.

For several years, Moen has been a clear voice for equal opportunities and safe communities in esports.

“That esports leaders are being highlighted in national awards shows how the gaming community is increasingly being seen as an important arena in society,” says Heitmann.

Last year, HER Awards received nearly 2,000 nominations and more than 67,000 public votes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in Norway.

Vote for Elin Yoojung Moen!

Moen has now advanced to the semifinals in the Diversity Award category – and public votes are crucial going forward.

👉 Vote for Elin Yoojung Moen here:

Vote for your favorites | HER Awards 2026 (9. Mangfoldsprisen)

The Norwegian Esports Federation encourages the entire esports community, partners, and friends of organized gaming to show their support. Every vote is a contribution to the work for a more inclusive and forward-looking esports scene.

Additional reading:

Athlete's rights:
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Thursday, 12 February 2026

City of Cape Town Regional Junior Backgammon event - Sunday, 22 February 2026

Backgammon is a game that that can be played by all ages.

The Cape Town Open 2026 will include the City of Cape Town Junior (U-18) backgammon tournament on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

The event gives young players the chance to compete in an event that is recognised as an official MSSA Regional Championship alongside one of South Africa’s premier tournaments.

Running from 14:30 –17:30 at the Fire & Ice! Hotel in Cape Town CBD, the junior section will use a Swiss format with short 3-point matches, ensuring every participant gets multiple games in a structured, friendly environment.

The event is designed to be welcoming for both new and experienced players, encouraging strategic thinking, confidence, and sportsmanship while letting juniors experience the excitement of tournament play.

For more information, parents can contact Nick (0711217022) or register at bit.ly/CTOpen2026Juniors

Additional reading:

Athlete's rights:
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The 2025 Top 5 ranked schools for esports ahead of 15th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships to be held on 14 February 2026

The Dawnview Esports Team is not only dedicated, but proving to be highly skilled.

With the 15th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships to be played  on 14 February 2026, MSSA has just released the top five ranked schools for esports in South Africa.

These official rankings take into account all the official Provincial and National Championships results.

For the first time in many a year, Northcliff High School does not appear in the top 5 along with Oakhill College.

Instead, there are newer schools making their way up the rankings, with Dawnview High School (in Germiston) taking pole position. 

Another surprise was to see Sunnyridge Primary School make its way into the top ten - the first primary school to do so.

This is how volatile esports is at school level, the strength of teams can fluctuate widely with unknown players improving rapidly given the correct coaching, skill, and motivation.

Over the years, MSSA has witnessed many of the Goliaths being taken down by school teams that are new on the scene.

The top five ranked School Esports Teams are:

PositionName of school
1Dawnview High School
2Hoerskool Klerksdorp
3Crawford College Lonehill
4St David's Marist Inanda
5Hoerskool Monument Park

Additional reading:

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Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Relationship between Mind Sports South Africa and independent esports operators

MSS is now 40 years old, and is, the oldest national federation of its type in the world.

Here’s how Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) relates to independent esports operators in South Africa — like private leagues, clubs, and competitive teams — based on the current landscape:

1. MSSA is the official national federation

MSSA is recognised under the Sport and Recreation Act as the national controlling body for mind sports, including competitive esports titles in South Africa. That means MSSA is officially the only authority that can govern, structure and administer esports as a sport at the national level, and is affiliated with bodies like SASCOC and the International eSports Federation.

Because of this status:

  • MSSA can sanction official provincial and national championships, giving competitors the chance to earn provincial or national Protea colours.

  • They decide which esports titles get included in official competition rosters.

2. Independent operators can affiliate with MSSA

Smaller esports groups and operators don’t automatically fall under MSSA — but many choose to affiliate with it. That means they formally link up so their teams can participate in MSSA-sanctioned events and players can be officially recognised.

Examples:

  • PES Society, an independent Pro Evolution Soccer community, signed up to MSSA to gain official status and competitive pathways.

  • Independent teams like Team efx have also affiliated to compete in sanctioned events and potentially represent South Africa internationally.

3. MSSA governs official competition, independent operators run other events

Independent esports operators — including leagues run by private promoters, tournament organisers, or community groups — often run their own competitions outside MSSA’s structure. These can include commercial leagues, grassroots events, and entry-fee tournaments run without MSSA sanctioning.

The relationship here is more parallel than hierarchical:

  • MSSA is the official federation for sporting recognition and official status.

  • Independent operators provide alternative spaces for competition, community building, and commercial growth.

4. Sometimes tension or dual systems emerge

Historically, there have been some debates in the community:

  • Some professional gamers and independent leagues have preferred private competitive circuits because they attract broader participation and better rewards than MSSA’s official pathways.

  • This has led to a kind of dual ecosystem: one shaped by MSSA’s official sport status, the other by independent competition and commercial esports growth.

5. MSSA’s role in regulatory clarity

In South Africa, esports governance isn’t regulated under gambling law when events are accredited as official esport events. MSSA’s sanctioning can help private events avoid being classified under other legislation.

In a nutshell

  • MSSA = official national governing body for competitive esports as a recognised sport in South Africa.

  • Independent esports operators = privately run leagues and organisations that may choose to affiliate with MSSA to gain official status or operate their own events alongside MSSA’s.

  • Their relationship is collaborative but not exclusive: affiliation is voluntary, and many independent operators also thrive outside MSSA’s official framework. 

Additional reading:

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Tuesday, 10 February 2026

South Africa at the 2026 Winter Olympics


South Africa will compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from 6 to 22 February 2026. If the country participates, it will be its first participation in the Winter Olympics since 2018.

Watch it live on youtube.com/watch?v=zbGANkaRvJI&fbclid=IwY2xjawP5IfdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFEBb8Ox1iNc4PuYTrC9NFfBXXo4MQJ-oj3YzK9NCm2_rK55rR6IOq2VLurc_aem_LSBXe2AVMcZIXm2_mGd8ow

Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors participating at the Games per sport/discipline.

SportMenWomenTotal
Alpine skiing112
Cross-country skiing101
Freestyle skiing011
Skeleton011
Total235
TEAM SA SQUAD FOR 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
Men: Thomas Weir (slalom & giant slalom), Matthew Smith (cross-country)
Women: Lara Markthaler (slalom & giant slalom), Malica Malherbe (freestyle skiing), Nicole Burger (skeleton)
Coaches: Robert Weir (slalom & giant slalom), Christian Markthaler (slalom & giant slalom), Ole Ensrud (cross-country), Rhys Thornbury (skeleton)

Alpine skiing

Main articles: Alpine skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Alpine skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics – Qualification

South Africa qualified one female and one male alpine skier through the basic quota.[2][3]

AthleteEventRun 1Run 2Total
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Thomas WeirMen's giant slalom
Men's slalom
Lara MarkthalerWomen's giant slalom
Women's slalom

Cross-country skiing

Main articles: Cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics – Qualification

South Africa qualified one male cross-country skier through the basic quota.[4] 34-year-old Matt Smith qualified to represent the country in the sport.[5] Smith had only taken up the sport two years ago after moving from South Africa to Norway.[6] This will mark the country's first participation in the sport in 16 years, after last competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics.[7]

AthleteEventFinal
TimeDeficitRank
Matthew SmithMen's 10 km freestyle

Freestyle skiing

Main articles: Freestyle skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Freestyle skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics – Qualification

South Africa qualified a female athlete in moguls and dual moguls through the World Cup and 2025 World Championship event.[8]

Moguls

AthleteEventQualificationFinal
Run 1Run 2Run 1Run 2Rank
TimePointsTotalRankTimePointsTotalRankTimePointsTotalRankTimePointsTotal
Malica MalherbeWomen's moguls30.3943.5855.852530.0546.1958.8617Did not advance

Dual moguls

AthleteEventSeedingQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal
TimeScoreTotalRankOpposition
Result		Opposition
Result		Opposition
Result		Rank
Malica MalherbeWomen's dual moguls 
 		 
 		 
 

Skeleton

Main articles: Skeleton at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Skeleton at the 2026 Winter Olympics – Qualification

South Africa qualified a single female skeleton racer, securing one quota spot based on the IBSF Ranking List for the 2025–26 season.[9]

AthleteEventRun 1Run 2Run 3Run 4Total
TimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankTimeRank
Nicole BurgerWomen's

References

  1.  Lemke, Gary (4 February 2026). "Smith, Burger to carry flag at opening ceremony". TeamSA. South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  2.  "Alpine Skiing quotas list for Olympic Winter Games 2026". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  3.  Isaacson, David (16 March 2025). "Rising ski star Lara wants to put South Africa on winter sport map". Sunday Times. Johannesburg, South Africa: Arena Holdings. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  4.  "Cross-Country quotas list for Olympic Winter Games 2026". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  5.  "South African skier qualifies for 2026 Winter Olympics". www.dailyfriend.co.za/. Johannesburg, South Africa: Daily Friend. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  6.  "How South Africa's 'Snowbok' booked Winter Olympics spot". BBC News. London, England. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  7.  "Matt Smith becomes South Africa's first winter Olympian in years". Africa News. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  8.  "Freestyle Moguls & Dual Moguls quotas list for Olympic Winter Games 2026". International Ski Federation (FIS). Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  9.  "Quota Allocation – Women's Bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF). January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.

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