Clans, MGO's, Clubs, and Regional, Provincial and National Teams.

Khahliso Malape (Fakkel School of Skills) representing South Africa for the FIFA '18 esports title.

Since 1998 when Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) ran its first esports provincial championship, MSSA realised that the greater media (Supersport, SABC, eTV, Sunday Times, etc.) and the general population does not understand Clans and Guilds and concepts like that.

However, they do understand the concept of Regional, Provincial, and Protea teams because it falls into their frame of reference. So, its much easier to get exposure for gamers when they are part of a Protea Team or Provincial Team. 

The more media coverage, the more the players involved can become known to the "non-gaming" audience and the more noticed they are by potential local sponsors. These gamers become known, go back to their clan or guild with a degree of fame that then makes the clans more attractive to potential local sponsors.

MSSA sees this happen with every Inter-Regional and Inter-Provincial event - some have had as much as 5 TV crews covering the event including SABC Sports who aired the segment in the sports section of the main news bulletin at 20H00. When last did a non-official competitive gaming event get that coverage? 

MSSA is aware that South Africa is able to compete in overseas events and MSSA regularly sendds teams to IESF's World Championships (just look at the fact that South Africa is ranked 12th in the world). The international coverage does translate back to sponsor interest but in order to create a fully sustainable market in which many salaried professional teams exist, greater emphasis should be placed on provincial teams.

Clubs benefit directly from having their players called up for duty in a provincial team as it opens greater opportunities to them to gain additional media coverage in the greater media.

Basically everyone wins!

Also read:

• 113 awards of Protea Colours for Esports since 2005 until 2017.
• Mind Sports South Africa names its League of Legends National Squad.
• MSSA announces its Protea CounterStrike: GO team to battle against Switzerland.
• Curro Klerksdorp and Oakhill School share the honours in the SA National Squad for the Dota 2 esports title.
• Regional Colours are awarded to 21 players at Sedibeng.