Now this is truly exciting!

While scrolling down Mind Sports South Africa's facebook page, I came across this interesting little post that has really not attracted as much attention as it should have!

The post is:

Mind Sports South Africa - MSSA

13 October · Edited

Hot news:

Austria has begun discussions with the MSSA to set up an official IeSF on-line test match against a SA Schools team in Dota2 and in StarCraft II.

Exciting stuff!

"Oh no", I hear people exclaim, "Not another test match!".

But this is different, this is between the Nation School's Teams.

We are all aware that our South African gamers, especially those that brag about being professionals, fall woefully behind those of European countries.

But is that true for our gamers who are still at school?

In other words, this testy match could be used as a litmus test to see where the rot starts.

Does it start at school level, or does it creep in later on when so many of our gamers leave school and think that they are better than what they are.

I can't wait for this test match....

South Africa beats Namibia in Dota 2

Ion Todd could not ask for a better 21st birthday present!

Ion Todd (from Cape Town) is the captain of South Africa's MWEB Dota 2 Protea Team which played against Namibia in an IeSF Test Match on Saturday, 25 October 2014 in a bid to ready itself for the IeSF's 2014 World Championships to be held in Baku from 12 to 17 November 2014.

The MWEB Dota 2 Protea Team is now beginning to look almost like a veteran team of cyber-athletes. After having previously pitted their strength against Egypt and Finland in two  IeSF Test Matches, the team has learnt many valuable lessons and has been able to sort out many of the weaknesses that they may have had.

It  was clear right from the onset that the South African team had the upper hand, although the Namibian team captain, Johan Otto, proved to be no slouch and lead one defiant attack after another.

However, the South African team  brushed off the attacks and slowly and deliberately built up their attack. By the time that South Africa was ready, Timothy van Reenen Mostert was almost unassailable on the field of play. With Timothy working in close co-operation with Dylan Henderson, there was little that the hapless Namibians could do to stop the rampant South African team. As a result, South Africa won both games to take a 2 - 0 victory. South Africa won the first game 37 -14 and won the second game 48 - 30.

Not only that, but the game held at MWEB's MCave saw each of the five South African player's earn their sixth cap.

The awarding of the sixth cap means that this team is without doubt the most internationally tested Dota 2 team that will depart South Africa for the IeSF's 6th eSport World Championships in Baku.

The MWEB Dota 2 Protea Team that beat Namibia consisted of:

Dota 2

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Ion Todd (Team Captain) Jason Bredberg Dylan Henderson Saleem Manjoo Timothy van Reenan Mostert	ION Mehcrim PIXELPUSHA SLIMZ ZEALOT	Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports	Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town

Thanks to the governing Sports Body, Minds Sports South Africa (MSSA) and the support given by MWEB Gaming , the South African participation in such test matches is becoming a regular occurrence.

With eSports now recognised as a fully recognised sport by both SASCOC and the government, gaming is now taken more seriously than ever before. Already gaming has been included into the Asian Games by the Asian Olympic Committee.

Test matches between South Africa and Namibia are al;ways entertaining with a great deal of honour on the line.

For more information on MWEB Gaming check out the new addition to MWEB GameZone site or join the community on @MWEBGMZ or https://www.facebook.com/MWEBGameZone.

For more information on the MSSA review out the site on http://mindsportsa.co.za/

--Ends--

About MWEB

Since 1997, MWEB has been championing a free web in South Africa. It has led the industry from the start with the introduction of the Internet to South Africans to the launch of South Africa’s first Uncapped ADSL product. Today, MWEB provides Internet connectivity and solutions for home users, business owners and large corporates.

Dedicated to constantly driving change in the industry and deploying world class research and development teams, MWEB is focused on removing all barriers to Internet connectivity and services to positively impact its customers and broaden the South African Internet landscape.

MWEB is owned by JSE-listed MultiChoice South Africa Holdings Limited, a Naspers Limited subsidiary that has more than 30% Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment shareholders.

About Mind Sports South Africa

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.), Card games, eSports (whether they are played on ‘cell phones, Sony® PSP’s, personal computers or similar), and Historical figure games (also known as wargames)

For more information:

Colin Webster
General Secretary
Mind Sports South Africa
P O Box 19275
FISHER'S HILL
1408
Tel: 011 828 4994
Cell: 073 593 9451
Fax: 086 672 1911
e-mail: mindsportssa@iafrica.com
URL: http://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa

Stand up and be counted!

On 12 October 2014  I wrote (Positions aplenty at 2014 MSSA Annual General Meeting) about the many positions available at the 2014 AGM.

Today is the closing date for nominations.

I certainly hope that all those naysayers have taken the opportunity to stand for positions.

Especially those who claim to represent the community, but who have never been elected on any sort of platform, or are part of any type of democratically elected organisation.

Yes it is always easy to sit on the side-lines and look for errors and mistakes.

It is quite something else to roll up your sleeves and get involved.

Of course it must be remembered that the MSSA is run by volunteers. Thus there are no salaries fancy business accounts, just hard work.

But why do people do things for others for free?

Is it because:

• They love the game,
• They want to see others do well,
• They have an interest in seeing the eSports world grow.

It could be though, that they are just jolly good chaps!

So if you want to do something for eSports in South Africa, now is your chance to stand up and be counted.

The sponsorship that the MSSA gets from MWEB would all be for naught if it were not for the volunteers making things happen.

If you want to get involved, get hold of the MSSA now!

South Africa vs Namibia

As the IeSF's 2014 World Championships to be held in Baku from 12 to 17 November 2014 comes ever closer, teams are frantically trying to ready themselves for what will be the test of the year and result in world champions being produced in a a number of titles.

Through the IeSF's on-line test matches, South Africa is able to test the team against worthy adversaries. The European teams of course, are able to attend many more tournaments than what cash-strapped South Africans can, and thus develop their teams to apparently unassailable heights.

Already the South African Dota 2 team has tested themselves against Egypt and Finland. Both teams are juggernauts in the eSports arena.

The Protea Dota 2 team has learnt many valuable lessons against both Egypt and Finland. The skill of the internationally experienced players was clear to see and the South Africans have gleaned from them what they could.

Namibia like South Africa, finds itself outside of the mainstream of international competition, but Namibia is fiercely competitive. Namibia never gives quarter and as has always given their best when playing against South Africa in all eSports test matches between the two countries. There could not be a greater rivalry!

Both nations are thus enthusiastically rushing forward to this clash.

The Test Match will be held on Saturday, 25 October 2014 from 15H00.

MWEB has kindly allowed the MSSA to use its Mcave which is located in its head office in Cape Town for the Dota 2 team.

The MSSA is confident that the National Team that will represent South Africa with pride and honour, is without doubt the finest team that it has fielded.

The team for 25 October 2014 consists of:

Dota 2

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Ion Todd (Team Captain) Jason Bredberg DylanHenderson Saleem Manjoo Timothy van Reenan Mostert	ION Mehcrim PIXELPUSHA SLIMZ ZEALOT	Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports	Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town

Thanks to the governing Sports Body, Minds Sports South Africa (MSSA) and the support given by MWEB Gaming , the South African participation in such test matches is becoming a regular occurrence.

With eSports now recognised as a fully recognised sport by both SASCOC and the government, gaming is now taken more seriously than ever before. Already gaming has been included into the Asian Games by the Asian Olympic Committee.

Test matches between South Africa and Namibia are al;ways entertaining with a great deal of honour on the line.

For more information on MWEB Gaming check out the new addition to MWEB GameZone site or join the community on @MWEBGMZ or https://www.facebook.com/MWEBGameZone.

For more information on the MSSA review out the site on http://mindsportsa.co.za/

The MSSA's committee in 2015 - who will be on it?

While talking to current MSSA committee members, one comes across a number of differing views about the number of committee positions available in 2015.

And why?

Because the system is totally democratic.

It is nothing else other than true democracy in action

Any member club can propose any Registered Player to stand for a position. In other words, the MSSA, as sponsored by MWEB, allows absolute control by its own membership.

The MSSA is therefore a sports body that fully subscribes to the notion of self-governance of the federation by the member clubs.

And this is something that SASCOC is trying to reign in. SASCOC wants succession plans which would stop committees from truly reflecting the face of the membership that they represent.

However, the MSSA remains true to its democratic principles and fights hard to ensure that the democratic principles are retained at all levels within the organization.

Thus, it is impossible to even predict who will be on the Management Board until all the nominations are in.

Then of course, the horse-trading begins as clubs start negotiating with other clubs to get support for their candidates.

However, the most interesting position available is the one for which clubs do not vote. Instead every Registered Player votes for the candidate.

The position is none other than that of the Player's Representative.

To be nominated as the Player's Representative, the nominee must have at least National or Protea Colours, have represented South Africa in international competition,  and be below the age of 30 at the time of election.

This committee member is to represent the views of the gamers!

With the increase of MSSA players participating in international events, it will indeed be interesting to see who stands.

Exciting times!

Positions aplenty at the 2014 MSSA Annual General Meeting

Please note that the end of the year is rushing down upon us. As such there is a huge amount of administrative work to finish

before the Annual General Meeting to be held on 7 December 2014.

The AGM will no doubt be an interesting affair with Mr Simphiwe Maphumulo delivering his first annual report.

Much has been achieved this year, and much more is still to be done.

Of course little would have been achieved without the generous sponsorship from MWEB.

An interesting aspect of the 2014 Annual general meeting is that there are 10 positions that are available for election on the Management Board. This means that the majority of the positions are available which could mean that the MSSA may present a very different committee to what it has done in the past.

As everyone already knows, the MSSA is a democratic concern, where it is the decision of the committee that are enforced, and not the will of any one individual.

The 2014 elections may thus prove to be a watershed for all of the disciplines within the MSSA.

All gamers are reminded that only affiliated clubs may nominate players who are registered and fully-paid-up for positions on any of the committee, except for the Player's Representative.

Management Board: (3 year terms)

• Vice-President in charge of development
• Vice-President in charge of umpiring
• Vice-President in charge of events
• Board Gaming Representative
• Card Gaming Representative
• National Schools Director
• Board Gaming Representative
• Legal Advisor 
• Disabled Gamer's Representative

Please remember that a new Player's Representative also needs to be elected, but that is done by the gamers directly in terms of the rules. The Player's Representative has to be a player who has either Protea or National Colours and has officially represented South Africa in an international event and is under the age of 30 years old at the date of election. Member clubs do not vote for this position. Every player who is fully-paid-up may vote for this position.

Boards of Control: (1 year terms)

• Board gaming
• Card gaming
• eSports
• Figure gaming
• Schools
• Disabled

Provincial Directors: (2 year terms)

• All but Free State and Mpumulanga.

Regional Directors: (1 year term)

• All

If you are interested in standing for any of the top nine positions, you need to be at least 18 years old at the date of nomination, and you need to be nominated by a member club.

Nominations must be submitted by 28 October 2014.

Registered Players who are nominated must be fully-paid-up at the date of nomination and the date of election.

Finland shows its strength!

One of the biggest problems that all South African sport has, is the lack of international competitive experience.

It is largely due to the lack of sufficient funds that many of South Africa's teams are prohibited from participating in enough international competition.

Thus, through the IeSF's international on-line test matches, South Africa is afforded the opportunity to play against the best teams in the world and to prepare for the annual world championships at a fraction of the cost.

The MSSA thus uses the on-line test series to help prepare the team for the rigours of the world championships as well as to continually evaluate not only the South African Protea team, but also the other international teams.

Thus on Saturday, 4 October 2014, South Africa took on Finland.

The Finnish team boasts of many of the world's top players, and, arguably, the Finnish team is one of the most dominant teams in world eSports.

Thus, South Africa knew what was at stake as well as the fact that the South African team were clearly the underdogs.

The test match was to be played in two titles, being StarCraft II and Dota 2.

Unfortunately the one game of StarCraft II had to be cancelled due to connectivity issues. The game involved Yolandi 'Ananke' Williams who was to play from Wits University. Even though Wits has an incredible internet connection, it proved not to be reliable enough for the test match and such game was cancelled. Of course Yolandi was saddened by the cancellation as she was looking forward to a rematch against Niina "Soyhi" Kahela (Finland) whom Yolandi had faced off against at the 2013 IeSF World Championships - Bucharest.

In the StarCraft II match between Nathan 'Static' Anderson (SA) and Vesa "Welmu" Hovinen (Finland), Nathan lost both games. However, it must be noted that Vesa is arguably one of the top players outside Korea. On examining the replays, it is absolutely clear that Nathan is much improved since he represented South Africa in Bucharest in 2013. The replays too show where work has to be done.

In Dota 2, the Finnish team, ably lead by the world-renown Kalle "Trixi" Saarinen delivered two resounding defeats on the South African team. No quarter was given by the Finnish team who demonstrated why they are the main contenders for the World Championship title.

However, the South African team showed remarkable improvement since their game against Egypt in August. Lessons have been learnt and the team has improved.

There is still a long road to travel, and much improvement still needs to be done.

Nevertheless, the optimism, willingness to learn, and commitment shown by the South African team bodes well for the remaining test matches as well as for the actual World Championships.

The on-line test matches thus provide a valuable platform for the South African eSports players to test themselves against the international opposition, have a critical look at their tactics and prepare for the upcoming 2014 World Championships to be held in Baku.

The South African team consists of:

Dota 2

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Ion Todd (Team Captain) Jason Bredberg DylanHenderson Saleem Manjoo Timothy van Reenan Mostert	ION Mehcrim PIXELPUSHA SLIMZ ZEALOT	Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports	Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town

StarCraft II: Men

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Nathan Anderson	Static	Veneration	Cape Town

StarCraft II: Women

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Yolandi Williams	Ananke	Snaz Gaming	Roodepoort

MSSA publishes its proposed Calendar of events for 2015

The MSSA has published its proposed calendar of events for 2015.

The Calendar is no less busy than in previous years, and it has increased the number of on-line championships both at school level as well as for Premier players.

Unfortunately certain events have been dropped, such as the On-line Schools StarCraft Championships, but what with StarCraft II being played very actively in the MSSA's MWEB On-line Schools championships, such a duplication is no longer required.

I feel that the moving of the Free State Championship to June is also encouraging. To hold the Free State event in September is quite awkward for this eSports hungry province. Generally the MSSA holds its National Team Trials for the IeSF's World Championships in early September, which I feel may have compromised some of the wonderful talent that exists in the province.

As usual, the MSSA has distributed the calendar for comment.

The proposed calendar is:

2015 Calendar of events

Date	Event	Discipline	Venue
7 & 8 MARCH	19th NORTH WEST Championships	All
28 & 29 MARCH	32nd GAUTENG Championships	All
1 APRIL to 31 MAY	Inter-school online league (dates to be set)	eSports (PC)	On-line
11 & 12 APRIL	Provincial School Championships	Board and Figure games
18 APRIL	Dota 2 Online Championships	eSports (PC)	On-line
23 & 24 MAY	14th MPUMALANGA Championships	All
23 MAY	FINANCIAL AGM	Meeting
27 & 28 JUNE	13th FREE STATE Championships	All
4 & 5 JULY	22nd KWAZULU NATAL Championships	All
25 & 26 JULY	SA School Championships	Board and Figure games
15 AUGUST	5th On-line Championships	StarCraft II, League of Legends, Hearthstone	On-line
22 & 23 AUGUST	20th WESTERN CAPE Championships	All
TBA	Indigenous Games	Morabaraba	To be determined by SRSA
26 & 27 SEPTEMBER	16th EASTERN CAPE Championships	All
24 & 25 OCTOBER	6th LIMPOPO Championships	All
5 & 6 DECEMBER	29th S A NATIONAL Championships	All
5 DECEMBER	33rd NATIONAL CONVENTION	Meeting
TBA	SRSA's S A Schools Championships	Morabaraba	To be determined by SRSA

Notes:

1. International events still need to be included.
2. Inter-Provincial events need to be included
3. Inter-regional events need to be included
4. Regional Championships need to be included.
5. Free State is moved to earlier in the year.

The road to Baku: South Africa to take on Finland in Dota 2 and StarCraft 2

As interest and excitement grows within the selected team for the IeSF's 2014 World Championships to be held in Baku from 12 to 17 November

2014, both the Federation and the team members are hard at work trying to ready themselves for the test of the year.

Through the IeSF's on-line test matches, South Africa is able to test the team against worthy adversaries. The European teams of course, are able to attend many more tournaments than what cash-strapped South Africans can, and thus develop their teams to apparently unassailable heights.

However, through South African determination and sheer fortitude, South African gamers have been able to, from time-to-time, scale the misconceptions and establish themselves as contenders in the highly competitive world of eSports.

The on-line test matches thus provide a valuable platform for the South African eSports players to

test themselves against the international opposition, have a critical look at their tactics and prepare for the upcoming 2014 World Championships to be held in Baku.

The first test match that the Protea Dota 2 played against, in the current season, was Egypt. Many valuable lessons were learned.

It is now the time for South Africa to face Finland.

The Finnish eSports Federation (FeSF) has selected the top Finnish players to play for Team Finland in IeSF WC 2014 held in Baku.

FeSF is proud to have Vesa "Welmu" Hovinen from Team NewRoSoft to represent Finland in StarCraft II. This 20-year old world class player has been the best Finnish StarCraft II player for the past two years and arguably one of the top players outside Korea. Welmu participated Premier League during the last WCS Season 2 making it to round of 16, visiting shortly Challenger League to secure a spot in WCS Season 3 Premier League. 

The FeSF has selected Niina "Soyhi" Kahela to represent  Finland as their female competitor in StarCraft II. Niina is a world class player who, at the 2013 World Championships - Bucharest, proved to be tha fierce competitor.

For Dota 2, this year's Finnish line-up consist of such players as Kalle "Trixi" Saarinen from Fnatic and ex-pro-player Jesse "jerAx" Vainikka, who still plays world-class Dota 2 and might be seen again on the pro-scene in the future. Other three players (Okke, Hopis and fragi) are from the Finnish scene and not as well known as Trixi and jerAx but play on national top level. Interesting fact is also that fragi used to play for Finnish World number 1 placed World of Warcraft guild Paragon during earlier expansions up to Cataclysm.

The Test Match will be held on Saturday, 4 October 2014 from 14H00.

The StarCraft II matches will begin at 14H00 for the males and from 15H00 for the females.

MWEB has kindly allowed the MSSA to use its Mcave which is located in its head office in Cape Town for the Dota 2 team and for the men's game f StarCraft II.

Wits University shall be the venue for the women's game of StarCraft II.

The MSSA is confident that the National Team that will represent South Africa with pride and honour, is without doubt the finest team that it has fielded.

The team for 4 October 2014 consists of:

Dota 2

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Ion Todd (Team Captain) Jason Bredberg DylanHenderson Saleem Manjoo Timothy van Reenan Mostert	ION Mehcrim PIXELPUSHA SLIMZ ZEALOT	Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports Knights Mind Sports	Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town

StarCraft II: Men

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Nathan Anderson	Static	Veneration	Cape Town

StarCraft II: Women

Name	Nick	Club	Residence
Yolandi Williams	Ananke	Snaz Gaming	Roodepoort

Thanks to the governing Sports Body, Minds Sports South Africa (MSSA) and the support given by MWEB Gaming , the South African participation in such test matches is becoming a regular occurrence.

With eSports now recognised as a fully recognised sport by both SASCOC and the government, gaming is now taken more seriously than ever before. Already gaming has been included into the Asian Games by the Asian Olympic Committee.

There is no doubt that the South African team has its work cut out for it. The Finnish team is not an easy match, and the South African team will be tested.

But more than that, it should be fun....

For more information on MWEB Gaming check out the new addition to MWEB GameZone site or join the community on @MWEBGMZ or https://www.facebook.com/MWEBGameZone.

For more information on the MSSA check out the site on http://mindsportsa.co.za/