MWEB and ROCCAT sponsor South African team

So the MSSA has finally announced its team for the the 2013 IeSF World Championships to be held in Bucharest, Romania.

I see that this year the MSSA has MWEB and ROCCAT sponsoring the team.

That is good!

At last companies are beginning to see where the real development of gaming happens and are not just funding individuals and clans who want to make a 'fast buck' out of computer gaming.

Gaming is not going to provide many paying jobs in South Africa until there is real development among who is gaming in South Africa.

Until there is a solid base of gamers who are prepared to pay for championship experience, there will not be any true professionals.

It is like South African footballers complaining about how little they get paid, when the spectators refuse to pay more than R50.00 to watch a game.

Of course our players will never get paid the same if there is no base.

Instead the South African gaming scene has a lot of people leeching onto it expecting to be paid for blogs, paid for running championships, and paid for playing.

Look at how long it has taken basketball to set up a professional league in South Africa. It was only done because the Minister of Sport (Fikile Mbabula) made it happen.

And that is why government involvement in sport is important.

But more than that, I believe that no company should even consider sponsoring any body that is not affiliated to the national body. The reason is simple – there is no return if you do.

MWEB and ROCCAT are making things happen for gamers. MWEB and ROCCAT are helping to get gamers overseas and improve the standard.

For those interested, the MSSA put up the following on their facebook site:

“Although this is the fifth IeSF World championships that South Africa shall be attending, the support given by MWEB and ROCCAT has ensured the South African participation at the 2013 IeSF World Championships which is to be held in Bucharest, Romania. The team that will be representing South Africa at the 2013 IeSF World championships will be the largest eSports team that has ever departed from South Africa to play at a IeSF event.

The MSSA, MWEB, and ROCCAT are all in concord about the outcomes for the team. Although this is the first foray ever for a South African "League of Legends" team to foreign shores, everybody expects the team to handle themselves well and to be a credit to South Africa. The lessons that the young "League of Legends" team will learn in the Championships will prove to be invaluable, not only to themselves, but to all the League of Legends gamers in South Africa as well as to future South African teams.

However, it is in the women that will be going overseas to play "StarCraft II" and "Tekken Tag Tournament II" that the administrators put their greatest faith.

In 2012, Gabriela Isaacs finished in second place in StarCraft II and Lyrene Kűhn finished in fourth place in Tekken Tag Tournament II. This year has seen a slight change to the team where Yolandi Williams has powered herself into the team to represent South Africa in starCraft II. Yolandi dominated all the StarCraft II championships in which she played. Lyrene Kűhn, however, successfully maintained her position as the dominant force in Tekken Tag Tournament II in south Africa in order to better her 2012 result.

The team will be issued with its new kit showing both the sponsorship of MWEB and ROCCAT at the award ceremony on Wednesday before embarking on their wonderful adventure.

The full team is:

League of Legends

Name of Player........................Club

Conradie van Heerden.............ROCCAT
Myburg Brink...........................ROCCAT
Willem Strȍfeldt.......................2up Gamers
Kyle Rhoodie...........................2up Gamers
Marco Botha...........................2up Gamers

StarCraft II

Name of Player.......................Club

Yolandi Williams.......................Deviation Gaming

Tekken Tag Tournament II

Name of Player.......................Club

Lyrene Kühn..........................Knights Mind Sports Club

Due to Lyrene's experience with the 2012 South African Protea Team, and dealing with the many issues that arose, Lyrene has also been appointed as the captain of the team. This is the first time that a woman has been appointed as the captain of a South African eSports Team.
Lyrene is confident that the additional duties will not affect her standard of play.”

I along with all South Africans wish the team the best of luck.

All photographs used come off the MSSA facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa

QUOTAS

My blog on transformation certainly seemed to open an ant's nest!

Over 2,000 people read the blog, and over 65 people submitted comments.

Sadly few could be published as most contained, hate speech, racial slurs, cursing, and some just did not have anything to contribute.

Not a response suggested HOW to deal with the issue. All just stated that the idea was wrong!

Please read the following two sites:

1. http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/mbalula-talks-tough-transformation-unveils-sports-awards-nominees
2. http://www.srsa.gov.za/MediaLib/Home/DocumentLibrary/THINKSPORT%20Journal%20Vol2%20No2%20August%202013.pdf

Both sites make it clear that this is a government initiative.

It is going to happen!

The MSSA under Webster has used a system which he claims has been effective. I just think that his system is weak and any system needs to be 'accelerated' to give more results and faster.

Cricket has started a policy of introducing two players of colour in each club team this year. There is not the uproar there, because they know it has to be done.

Read the links.

Then if you have a better idea on how to reach the goals set out in the score card, suggest them.

Those are the only replies I will publish!

Transformation in South African gaming!

While watching SABC TV2 yesterday morning (16 October 2013(, the Minister of Sport and Recreation announced the finalists of the South African Sport Awards.

Mind Sports South Africa managed to get Simphiwe Maphumulo nominated for the Indigenous Sports Star of the Year Award. This means as a finalist, Simphiwe automatically picks up a check of R15,000.00 and if he wins the category at the Awards dinner, Simphiwe will get a check of R130,000.00.

This is why eSports is part of the sports structure – so that the gamer can benefit.

The Minister also made it clear that quota's will be enforced in sport.

It is known that the MSSA does as much as possible to ensure that there is representation of all South Africans in its teams.

However, what of privately owned events. The TELKOM DGL still seems to be 'milky white'. All you have to do is look at the photographs, and you will see very few people of colour.

According to the last census, whites only make up 8% of the population, but if you went to rAge, you would think that you were still living in a pre-1994 South Africa.

DSGL, and all other competitions, should get in line with the governments' priorities, otherwise it could be seen that gaming, and the gamers themselves, are reactionary and do not identify with the New South Africa at all.

My suggestion is that DGL should not accept a team in their league if at least 2 of the team members are not blacks.

Think about it!

South Africa loses to Denmark and Israel - but do it in style!

From the MSSA:

"The Tri-Nations  held between Denmark, Israel and South Africa was held at MWEB's MCAVE on Saturday, 12 October 2013 from 18H00.

Philisande Macwili was there to represent the Western Cape Department of Sports and Recreation, and to award the National Federation Colours to the South African team.

The first match of the evening was South Africa against Israel. The young South African team was nervous, but they handled the game like troopers. It became very noticeable that the South African team were indeed very nervous on their first international match, and a number of mistakes were made that allowed the Israeli's to take full advantage and punish the South African team at every turn.

However, the South African team, loosened up in the dying moments of the games, and started to claw their way back into the game, but it was too late, and the Israeli's finished the game as the victors.

After the break, the South Africans had to face the juggernaut that is Denmark.

However, the young captain, Conradie van Heerden had re-inspired his team, and the South African team that took to the field of battle seemed to be a totally different team altogether.

Although the Danish team is without doubt one of the favourites in international League of Legends competition, the South African team came out fighting.

The audience at MWEB's MCAVE was ecstatic with the very different game play, and South Africa fought long and hard against Denmark, making the marauding Danes pay dearly for every victory during the game.

However, strength and experience won the day, and the Danes chalked up yet another victory as South Africa finally had to concede to the European team. It was a hard game, but the South Africans had played well above their usual standard.

Team member Kyle Rhoodie said to Philisande Macwili, "It was a hard game, harder than any game I have ever played before. I am glad that I did it as I have learned so much. It is one thing to watch the top players in the world, and it is another thing to play them. They were everywhere in the game, but we will be ready for them the next time we play".

Conradie van Heerden too stated, "It was an honour to play for South Africa, the help from MWEB is also invaluable in allowing the team to improve. Now that we know what we are up against, we know where our faults lie, and we know on what we have to work. The team played hard and every member gave of their best., but we can do better, and we will!"

After the match against Denmark, the team joined the audience to watch Denmark against Israel.

Denmark flew into action and immediately began inflicting damage. There was no doubt as to who was going to win. The strength and experience of the Danes also proved too much for the Israelis.

Thus the Danes took the Tri-Nations, 

with Israel finishing in second place, and South Africa finishing in third place.

After the match the Israeli team captain, Tal Winter said, "The TriNations were really enjoyable event and the games against both SA and Denmark were challenging and good. The event was helpful to us, as it showed us how much we have to work and improve until the IeSF World Championship, and we are looking forward to see SA and Denmark again in Romania." This is also the first time that South Africa will compete in an officially sanctioned competition for League of Legends. The Tri-Nations is thus, without doubt, a fore-runner of things to come

It is thus clear that at the MWEB MCAVE, new friends were made, competition was had, and more importantly, all the teams had fought and strived for honour, .

The South African team that was awarded National Federation Colours is as follows:

Name of Player	Club	Residence
Conradie van Heerden (captain)	ROCCAT	Durbanville
Myburg Brink	ROCCAT	Strand
Willem Strȍfeldt	2up Gamers	Bellville
Kyle Rhoodie	2up Gamers	Brackenfell
Marco Botha	2up Gamers	Bellville

Issued by:

-- 
Colin Webster
President
Mind Sports South Africa
P O Box 19275
FISHER'S HILL
1408
Tel: 011 828 4994
Fax: 086 672 1911
Cell: 073 593 9451
e-mail: mindsportssa@iafrica.com
URL: http://www.mindsportsa.co.za
Twitter: @mindsportssa
Skype: colin.webster4

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee.

The MSSA is responsible for the good governance and promotion of Board games (such as Backgammon, Diplomacy, Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, etc), eSports (whether they are played on ?cell phones, Sony® PSP?s, personal computers or similar), and Historical figure games (also known as wargames). "

Photograph taken from: https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa

Tri-Nations between Denmark, Israel, and South Africa - League of Legends

From the MSSA facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa?fref=ts):

"On the eve of the first Tri-Nations in which South Africa has ever played, Mind Sports South Africa has released the details of the team.

The Tri-Nations shall be held between Denmark, Israel and South Africa on Saturday, 12 October 2013 at 18H00 in preparation for the 2013 IeSF World Championships.

This is also the first time that South Africa will compete in an officially sanctioned competition for League of Legends. The Tri-Nations is thus, without doubt, a fore-runner of things to come.

Through the generous sponsorship from MWEB, the MSSA was able to begin its role out of on-line inter-regional championships, participate in the IeSF's on-line Dota 2 Test Matches, and now participate in the Tri-Nations against Israel and Denmark.

While Israel may be, as yet an unknown team, the Danish team is renowned for its prowess at the game of League of Legends. Only last weekend on 5 October 2013, the Danish team ripped the French team apart, and the Spanish team choose to rather forfeit the game than face the marauding Danes.

Thus the Tri-Nation match will give the young South African team a good taste of what to expect at the World Championships.

The entire South African team shall play from MWEB's MCAVE at the MWEB head office.

Conradie van Heerden, the young team captain, from Durbanville, has stated that the South African team is not afraid of facing one of Europe's best, and is quite looking forward to meeting the challenge. Conradie said, “No matter what, the experience will prove to be invaluable practice for South Africa's first foray into the world of international competition in the game of League of Legends”.

The South African team will be awarded National Federation Colours just prior to the start of the game. Protea Colours will only be awarded to the final team that is approved to attend the 2013 IeSF World Championships.

The team is as follows:

Name of Player...............................Club

Conradie van Heerden (captain).......ROCCAT
Myburg Brink..................................ROCCAT
Willem Strȍfeldt.............................2up Gamers
Kyle Rhoodie..................................2up Gamers
Marco Botha...................................2up Gamers

The games will be screened live from 18H00.

The first game will see the South African take on Israel.

To view the 'streamed' games, please go to:http://trinations.iesa.org.il/"

After rAge, what?

Well rAge is now over, the DGC and NAG competitions have been played.

The few have been given their prizes.

Now in the aftermath, we do a post-mortem, and what do we find?

We find that many players behaved like petulant children and most undeservedly criticised their sponsors.

We find that some of the competitions were not as transparent as they should be. For example, the StarCraft II Championship had the original draw published on Do Gaming, but something must have been changed during the competition to get the finals that were played.....

We find that nothing really happens now for gamers until next year unless you are a MSSA member.

Is this really what gamers want?

Maybe Mannion does not have the gamers at heart!

I see that Mannion of Lazygamer has had another swipe at the MSSA.


You just have to laugh!


It is now abundantly clear that Mannion does not understand how sports work.


Mannion is under the delusion that sports bodies are run by the different governments...


Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!


If he actually read anything about how sports are run, he would note that the sports bodies do not allow government control and interference.


That is why even the South African government backs off when FIFA tells them not to investigate SAFA.


To put it in a nutshell, the international body is a private association which has as members national federations (which are private associations).


An international test match is when the international body calls it a test match.


It is that simple – even Mannion should understand it!


And then of course, they raise the issue of the MSSA taking legal action against Lazygamer.


On that subject, Mannion on 4 October 2013 states:

“No official legal case was ever put forward”.

So, then what is Mannion's 'beef'?


Is Mannion just jealous that the MSSA is accomplishing things that no-one else can do in South African gaming.

In fact it is quite heartening to see how many gamers expressed their distaste at his article.

Time will tell what Mannion's true ulterior motives are....

I don't think any of them have the gamers at heart at all....

Flawed tournaments?

On the Do Gaming site, Magiel de Lange (better known as [DvG]enjoy commented in the article “StarCraft 2 DGC Groups Revealed” the following on 27 September 2013:


“yup, that's how I also have it but at this rate the people running the comp have made some funny calls so I wasn't sure. No admin gets back to any queries that I have logged about the way they run this sc2 comp.

if I was coolermaster I wouldn't be happy to spend so much money on a comp that runs for about 9 hours on the Friday night when no one is watching.

Having a single elimination top 8 tournament means all games will be played on Friday and this means Saturday will only see 4 players duke it out for 1st to 4th.

Sc2 having the most registered teams(1 only) this is sad to see the attention to detail DGL have gone about using the sponsors money to water it down to a point that its not even worth talking about.”


Really?


This is exactly what happens when a tournament is run by an organisation outside of the national set-up.


There is no bigger vision and there is no observance to national rules that protect the gamer.


De Lange talks about watering the tournament down, but is it really 'watered down'. The tournament does not lead anywhere.


Sure there is R6,000.00 for first place, but that is just pocket-money. The money that you win will not help you develop yourself as a pro-gamer, it will just barely cover your expenses.


And where does the competition lead?


Nowhere, that's where!


It is not as though the competition counts towards the exclusive national team trials at which gamers are selected to go overseas.


In fact, in 2012 PandaTank wisely chose the National Team Trials over the DGC. It was far more important for PandaTank to go to the IeSF and to be noticed.


I personally have a problem with group stages for developmental championships as they are easy to manipulate to give you the outcome that you want.


The group stages must be absolutely random or work to a very strict ranking system.


Either way, the groups for the StarCraft II DGC seem to be an agreed grouping. The way I see it is that PandaTank and StatiC will be playing for 1^st and 2^nd place, with Skiblet and Shase playing for 3^rd and 4^th.

 PandaTank

StatiC

Pictures used are from https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa

Broken promises!

I have just seen on the DGL website that Danil “Dendi” Ishutin is no longer coming out to rAge.


I was amazed to see how quite everybody is on the matter.


No outrage, no despair – nothing!


Makes me wonder if anybody out there even reads the Do Gaming page any more.


But more importantly, it shows how unfairly a very small group of gamers treat the MSSA.


Since 2005, as the MSSA claims, they have sent a team every year overseas except for 2008 when the MSSA brought the mighty SK Gaming DotA and CounterStrike teams to South Africa. See http://www.sk-gaming.com/video/58117-Loda_vs_the_giraffe for Loda's romantic adventure with a giraffe.

The 'community' was up in arms over the MSSA's decision as many gamers (very short-sightedly) felt that the money should be spent on prize money rather than bringing the SK heavy-weights to South Africa.


I feel the MSSA did the right thing.


Bearing in mind that the MSSA is a private association that is sponsored by companies, and does not generate profits of its own from trading, you can only realise how difficult it must be for the MSSA.


Yet, the MSSA has never once reneged on a promise to either send a team overseas, or to bring a team here.


Yet still, a very small cadre of discontents complain.


But what the Dendi affair does tell me is that it is not so easy to bring players here or to send them over there.


The fact that the MSSA consistently does it on a shoe-string budget tells me that the MSSA has the will, the drive and the commitment.



(The photo of SK comes off the MSSA's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.147780669007.140362.146018324007&type=3 )