Do online competitions mean anything?

LAN championships are far more efficient in terms of providing accurate results.

Over the past number of days, or for that matter, over the past number of years, esports has seen problem after problem with online competitions.

It is very difficult to ensure that the person who is playing in an online championship actually is the person who should be playing.

As a result, even overseas, there is a declining interest in online championships in favour of offline LAN championships which have taken esports to new heights.

Part of the problem must rest squarely on the process and conduct of the offline championships.

There are ways to ensure the validity and integrity of an online competition, but that involves a great deal of control and effort.

It was for that reason that MSSA jettisoned its online league, which was copied by a local telecom provider, in favour of concentrating on its LAN championships. The LAN championships, although more costly to deliver, are far more efficient in terms of providing accurate results which may be used by esports athletes to determine their true abilities./

However, MSSA has maintained certain online leagues and championships, but these are able to be controlled to a far greater extent to ensure the validity of the results.

MSSA's Online Schools League is just one such online competition which delivers results that may be trusted and used for the award of provincial colours and entry to MSSA's National Team Trials.

Without the controls in place, well, in my opinion, an online competition has very little value.

Also read:

Closing date for entries announced for MSSA's Inter-School League.