Mbalula's latest outburst is good for TV, but in law it cannot be correct!

On 25 April 2016 Mr Fikile Mbalula announced that he was going to punish four of South Africa's National Federations for lack of transformation. See: http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/other/2016/04/25/Mbalula-punishes-sporting-federations-for-lack-of-transformation

But can he do that?

Does any legislation currently enacted in South Africa give him such powers?

Did a single journalist investigate with which legal powers he is acting with his dramatic announcement on 25 April 2016?

Is it that the Sports Minister, like the rest of the government, just doesn't give a damn about the Constitution?

It would be nice if for once if journalists did their homework and asked the relevant questions.

One wonders how he can forbid these National federations from hosting events when the Minister has not yet issued Regulations for such in terms of section 14(jC) of the National Sport and Recreation Act?

The truth is that he can't 'ban' an event, he can just pull government support .

Thomas Brown off to China.

Thomas Brown

MSSA has selected Thomas Brown (of the All Stars Club in Witbank) to attend the International Referee Conference in Yinchuan, China.

The International Referee Conference is separate from the International e-Sports Academy.

A number of topics will  be dealt with at the Conference, and Thomas, who has officiated at no less than 15 MSSA events, as well as running 22 of his own, is a perfect  candidate for such conference.

The Conference will start on 12 May 2016 and end on 16 May 2016.

National Team Trials: The province has been determined.

The 2015 Protea eSports Team that attended the 7th World Championships - Seoul

The 2016 season has seen no less than 210 gamers qualify for the National Team Trials to be held on 4 June 2016.

The majority of those that  qualified reside in Gauteng with a close second being the Western Cape. Mpumulanga and North West came  in tie third. It  is hoped that 2017 will  see Western Cape wrest the trials down to Cape Town.

At this moment in time, it can thus be revealed that the Trials shall be held in Gauteng. MSSA is awaiting clubs to revert to MSSA as  to their ability to host such Trials.

However MSSA is delighted in the increase in both standard and quantity of gamers.

For the team events alone (CS: GO, DotA 2, and League of Legends) there are no less than 38 teams that made the grade.

Those that qualify represent 6 out of the nation's 9 provinces, proving that MSSA's  development programmes are bearing  fruit.

The  expense and effort  incurred by MSSA in hosting events  in areas which others  consider to be not worthwhile, is a vital part of creating a greater groundswell upon which eSports  in South  Africa will be able to build a bigger and better future.
National Team Trials details:

 
Hosting Club: TBD

•  Date: 4 June 2016
• Game Titles: CS:GO, DotA, FIFA, HearthStone, LOL, SC, TTT II
• Entry Fees: Nil. Only those who have qualified may participate.
• Entries: Clubs must use the entry form on Google Drive to enter their teams/players.
• Computers: Will be provided. Please bring your own peripherals.

All those who have qualified for National Team Trials, they must have the following at the date of Trials:

1. A valid passport,
2. A signed Contract, and
   

If under 18:

1. An unabridged birth certificate, and
2. A consent form signed by both parents giving permission to travel.

15th MSSA Mpumulanga Board Gaming Championships - 29 May 2016

Lucille Brown of All Stars, currently ranked 6th in the world in the female division for checkers

The 15^th MSSA Mpumulanga Board Gaming Championships shall be held at HTS Witbank, Beyers Street, Witbank, 29 May 2016.

The championships shall start on both days at 9H00. Players need to register at least 30 minutes before the start of play.

The following periods have qualified to be played, and shall be, should sufficient entries be received:

Board gaming
Period	CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED
	Saturday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4	ROUND 5
Backgammon	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Checkers	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Draughts (Brazilian)	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Draughts (International)	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
Morabaraba	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45
SesothoMorabaraba	10H00-10H45	11H00 - 11H45	14H00 -14H45	15H00 - 15H45	16H00 - 16H45

In keeping with Mind Sport South Africa's policies re development programmes, entries are free and gratis to registered players who are unable to afford to enter such championships should the member club formally request assistance. Such applications must be directed to the MSSA at: e-mail: mindsportssa@iafrica.com

Entry fees are:              R30.00 for board gamers.

Only players who are registered with fully-paid-up members may participate.

Players are reminded that the majority choice of rules as at the closing date for entries shall be used.

Entry fees can be deposited directly into Mind Sports South Africa's account, held at ABSA Bank, account number, 90 4766 7676.

All entries must be entered onto the club's Google  Drive before or on 20 May 2016.

15th MSSA Mpumulanga Wargaming Championships - 28 & 29 May 2016

Jason Batzofin, of St John's College, 2x Junior World Champion.

The  15^th MSSA Mpumulanga Wargaming Championships shall be held at HTS Witbank, Beyers Street, Witbank, on 28 & 29 May 2016.

In terms of the current regulations, any period may be played to more than one rule set if there are sufficient entries, and a player qualified to act as an umpire has volunteered to umpire such rule set.

The championships shall start on both days at 9H00. Players need to register at least 30 minutes before the start of play.

The following periods have qualified to be played, and shall be, should sufficient entries be received:

Period	CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED ON BOTH DAYS
	Saturday			Sunday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4	ROUND 5
Ancients figure – DBM 3.2	9H00-12H00	13H00 - 16h00	17h00 - 20h00	9H00-12H00	14H00 – 17H00
Pike & Shot – DBR	9H00-12H00	13H00 - 16h00	17h00 - 20h00	9H00-12H00	14H00 – 17H00

Period	ONE DAY HISTORICAL FIGURE GAMING CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE PLAYED ON SUNDAY ONLY
	Sunday
	ROUND 1	ROUND 2	ROUND 3	ROUND 4
Ancients – DBM 3.2	9H00-10H30	11H00 – 12H30	14H00 – 15H30	16H00 – 17H30

In keeping with Mind Sport South Africa's policies re development programmes, entries are free and gratis to registered players who are unable to afford to enter such championships should the member club formally request assistance. Such applications must be directed to the MSSA at: e-mail: mindsportssa@iafrica.com

Please note that if there are not at least 10 players entered for a figure gaming period, then such period shall be played to four (4) rounds and not five (5).

Entry fees are:              R60.00 for figure gamers.

Only players who are registered with fully-paid-up members may participate.

Players are reminded that the majority choice of rules as at the closing date for entries shall be used.

Entry fees must be deposited directly into Mind Sports South Africa's account, held at ABSA Bank, account number, 90 4766 7676.

All entries, and army lists (if applicable) must be e-mailed to the head of umpiring: Ewan Retief at: ewan.retief@gmail.com on or before 20 May 2016.

Professional gamers need salaries!

On 12 April 2016 MyGaming wrote an article "How much money South Africa’s best gamers really make".

In such article it was noted that, "While other top gamers who MyGaming spoke to were hesitant to say how much they earned, they all agreed that it is not possible to support yourself financially through competitive gaming in South Africa."

I feel that the MyGaming article reflects a number of articles that I have written about professional gamers over the years, being: 

• SA clans fail the SA professional eSports gamer
• How does SA get professional gamers?
• Professionals need to be disciplined
• So you want to be a Pro Gamer?

Off course there are more such  articles on the site, but you'll just have to look for them yourself. Ha ha ha!

Ultimately, gamers must understand that it is not prize money that creates  a professional gamer. What does is:

• A monthly salary,
• A professional attitude, and
• The willingness to comply with contractual obligations.

Until clubs and MGO's start playing salaries, South Africa's  gamers will never be professionals.

International competitions!

SA teams from 2012

Quite frankly any South African gamer not trying to get into international competition through the official sport structure, being Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is either just a recreational gamer, or plain delusional.

Since 2005 Mind Sports South Africa has sent a team every single year to compete on the international stage.

It really does not matter whether it was by sending the team overseas, or bringing the top-of-the-line gamers to South Africa.

There are few gamers who will not, with some emotion, remember SK Gaming at the 2008 AfriCon Championships, and Silvui 'NightEnd' Lazar in 2013.

Thus,  through MSSA's association with the IeSF, MSSA has been afforded the opportunity to even send a greater of number of players overseas than ever before. From what started back in 2005 with MSSA sending small exploratory teams overseas, the South African teams have become larger and far more successful.

Currently IeSF ranks South Africa as the 12th best team.

The ranking isn't half bad.

If you consider that only 20 nations compete in the cricket World Cup, basically the South African eSports team performs better than the SA cricket team.

Thus it  is my opinion that only those who try and get  into the national Protea team are actually competitive enough to participate in international events.

The  others in my opinion are quite content to stay in local competitions.

Getting the fundamentals right.

Whenever articles  are published apropos eSports, there is  always a long line of 'trolls' who cannot wait to spew forth with their negative attitudes.

Yet in their many comments you can find the failings of eSports in South Africa, as such 'Trolls' demonstrate the lack of understanding of what is required to get eSports to the next level.

Invariably there is always a laughable attack  on Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA).

However, it is through the efforts  of MSSA that:

1. eSports  is considered to be a sport, and
2. That  a team has been sent  every year overseas since  2005, and
3. Protea Colours are awarded to  eSport athletes,  and
4. eSport athletes are able to earn sports bursaries.

Thus MSSA works hard  to get the  fundamentals right.

MSSA has a strong base  of member clubs which actively  participate in the decision making process.

Through the school clubs, MSSA can ensure that there is growth  and development among all South Africans.

Only once there is a strong base  of clubs will there be:

1. A  strong competitive grounding,  and
2. The development of professional coaching.

In turn the strong inter-club competition will lead to an  even stronger inter-provincial system  which will  attract greater  investment from sponsors.

The widened base will also attract more coverage in South African events.

Only then, will South African clubs and provincial structures be able to pay  salaries to eSport  athletes to create true professionals.
However, it won't happen if the fundamentals are not in place.

eSports at SportAccord

Mind Sports South Africa has been a member  of the International eSports Federation (IeSF) since 2009 and has continually worked towards fulfilling the goals of such august body.

The objectives  of the IeSF are simple. The objectives are  to simply to improve the governance of eSports  and to ensure that eSports  takes  its  place among  all the other sporting  codes on offer.

Thus Alex Lim (IeSF's Secretary  General) is at the SportAccord Meeting in which he is pleading the case for eSports to be  seen by SportAccord as a fully  accredited sport in front of the  'Who's Who' in international  sport.

While in Lausanne The Daily (official SportAccord convention news channel) interviewed Alex Lim, regarding the rise of eSports.  http://www.sportaccordconvention.com/sites/default/files/page/file/SAC2016THEDAILYMONDAY18APRIL_0.pdf (page 11).

In the article Alex Lim puts IeSF's case forward clearly and succinctly.

For anyone interested in the growth and development of eSports, it is certainly worth the read.

Results: MSSA's 2016 Online Provincial Championships

The Maritzburg College DotA 2 First Team.
From Left to Right: Troy Marais, Alex Little, Sershin Naicker(Captain), Darshan Dhayaram, Ronald Lindsay Murdoch-Oats

MSSA's Online Provincial Championships held on 16 April 2016 started without a hitch as teams from six provinces prepared themselves for  battle.

Thanks must be extended to MWEB for use of the servers ansd to the MSSA administrators and umpires who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in order to create a top-of-the-line championships.

The championship attracted players from the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Mpumulanga, KwaZulu Natal, and Western Cape.

Not only did players battle it out to earn the various titles of Online Provincial Champion and earn Provincial  Colours in the process, but the fight was also to earn a place in the 2016 National Team Trials that will ultimately deliver a team to the IeSF's 2016 8^th World Championships in Jakarta from 6 to 9 October 2016.

The championship held all enthralled as the teams went from round-to-round while giving  their best.

In League  of Legends, Team Gryphon, lead by captain Jean-Pierre van  der Merwe and 2015 Protea Player, Matthew Smith, demonstrated to all  that they were unstoppable. The Capetonians thrashed every team to leave their mark pn the championship as the team to beat. Not even Tuks Mind Sports, nor the new stars on the block, Team Vapor (from Sasolburg High) were able to stop Team Gryphon's  relentless onslaught.

The developmental  nature of MSSA's competitition structure may be seen having borne fruit in the DotA 2 game title. Maritzburg College in 2015 finished in 5th place  in MSSA's 2015 Online Schools Championships, but through hard work, dedication, and discipline, Maritzburg College has now got its  game on. In the 2016 MSSA Online Schools Championships, Maritzburg College annihilated all the teams that they played to prove without doubt that such team is South Africa' best  school team in such title. However, would the school team  be able to stand up to the more experienced non-school teams?

The 2016 MSSA Online Championship showed just how much  improved the Maritzburg College team is. Team after team crumbled in the face of Maritzburg College. The school team has revealed to  all its character and ability. By winning  this  championship, Maritzburg College has made itself a major contender as one of South Africa's top DotA 2 teams in the country.

The  game title CounterStrike: GO saw some interesting developments. Jesse Joubert (who many consider to be the heart and soul of Rondebosch Boy's team) played for  Anteria Gaming. The combination seemed to have worked well as TERA|Qube (Anteria Gaming) began the championship.  It quickly  became evident that the CounterStrike:GO title was a fight between TERA|Qube and a very much  improved St John's College team under the skillful guidance of 2015 Protea player, Jason Batzofin. Eventually TERA|Qube and St John's met, and everyone held their breath as the two top teams 'slugged' it out.

None  of the teams gave quarter, but eventually TERA|Qube emerged as the victor by the narrowest of margins, with St John's College taking second place.

The winners are:

Title	Section	Name of team	Club	Colours awarded
CounterStrike: GO	Premier	TERA| Qube	Anteria	Provincial Colours
	Under 24	Team Delta	All Stars
	High School	Phantom Troupe l Branden	Fairmont High School
DotA 2	Premier	Maritzburg College	Maritzburg College	Provincial Colours
	Under 24	We Took a Tower!	Wits University
	High School	Broken alliance	Fairmont High School
League of Legends	Premier	Gryphons	Knights Mind Sports Club	Provincial Colours
	High School	CCS Shadow Hunters	Crawford College - Sandton

In total 15 players earned the right to wear provincial colours by having won all their games outright.

Photographs of the event may be found on: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154736371389008.1073741941.146018324007&type=3

15th Mpumulanga Championship - 28 & 29 May 2016

Tuks League of Legends Team

The 15th Mpumulanga Championship shall be played on 28 & 29 May 2016

The championship also counts as a qualifier for the MSSA's National Team Trials.

Registrations are thus open for MSSA's MWEB/G2A 2016 Mpumulanga LAN Championships.

Registrations will close on the 24 May 2016. Players who wish  to compete in any of MSSA's Championships are advised to complete their annual registration forms so that they may registered as Registered Players as soon as possible. Late entries will be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

All gamers are reminded that the Mpumulanga championships is an open championship.In other words any registered player is entitled to enter the championship – no matter where they live, or their category of membership. If you have any queries, please contact the MSSA.

Championship Details:

Hosting Club: HTS Witbank

• Venue: HTS Witbank, Beyers Road, Witbank
  
• Date: 28 & 29 May 2016
• Entry Fees: R60.00 per Registered Player per Period
• Entries: Clubs must use the entry form on Google Drive to enter their teams/players.
  
• Computers: Bring your own. Please ensure that all game updates are done prior to arrival. No updates shall be done at the event.
• Schedule: The LAN Schedule for all Provincial events in 2016 is:

Saturday
Time	StarCraft II	PES (Pro Evolution Soccer)	League of Legends (LoL)	HearthStone	Street Fighter V
09H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts
09H45	Round 2 Starts	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 2 Starts
10H30	Round 3 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 3 Starts
11H15	Round 4 Starts	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 4 Starts
12H00	Round 5 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 5 Starts
12H45		Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round3 Continues
13H00	LUNCH
Time	TEKKEN TTII	PES (continued)	LoL (continued)	Hearthstone (continued)
14H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts
14H45	Round 2 Starts	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues
15H30	Round 3 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts
16H15	Round 4 Starts	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues
17H00	Round 5 Starts
18H00	Awards Ceremony
19H00	Doors Close
SUNDAY:
Time	Dota 2	CounterStrike:GO	FIFA '16	MORTAL KOMBAT X
09H00	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts	Round 1 Starts
09H45	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues	Round 1 Continues
10H30	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts	Round 2 Starts
11H15	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues	Round 2 Continues
12H00	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts	Round 3 Starts
12H45	Round 3 Continues	Round 3 Continues	Round3 Continues	Round3 Continues
13H00	LUNCH
Time	Dota 2 (continued)	CounterStrike:GO  (continued)	FIFA '16	MORTAL KOMBAT X
14H00	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts	Round 4 Starts
14H45	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues	Round 4 Continues
15H30	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts	Round 5 Starts
16H15	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues	Round 5 Continues
17H00
18H00	Awards Ceremony
19H00	Doors Close

Rules and Regulations: All Rules and Regulations pertaining to eSports are available from the MSSA. Players are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the LAN League Bylaws and all Period Specific Rules. If any Player wishes to provide advice regarding the drafting of the Period Specific Rules they are encouraged to contact the eSBoC who will take all comments into account.

The following Medals may be awarded at the Championship:

• PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three players who are registered players.
• SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three high school scholars, provided they have not received any Premier medals.
• UNIVERSITY:Medals shall be awarded to the first three players who are currently registered at any officially recognised University, provided the players have not received any Premier Medals.
• WOMEN: Women will be awarded medals as per the same basis as above, that is in all three categories.
  

Colours and National Team Trials:

• National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn National Colours.
  
• Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Provincial Colours.
  
• National Team Trials: All Players that score within the top 20% or top three places, whichever is greater, in a specific Period at a Provincial or National Championship will earn an invitation to National Team Trials. National Team Trials shall be held in the event that a National Team must be selected to represent South Africa when competing in such Period in an International Championship.

Please note that times may be changed to take into account load-shedding.

Issued by:

-- 
Colin Webster
General Secretary
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).