Friday 30 October 2020

Transfer season - 1 November 2020 to 28 February 2021


It is only through being a member of an affiliated club, that a player may earn a spot in the National Protea Team.
In order to transfer from one club to another, a Registered Player needs to settle all of his debts with his current club, and apply to such club to leave.

MSSA, only allows this, unless in exceptional circumstances, to happen in the period 1 November to 28 February.

The reasons for only having one transfer period is to:


  • Create stability in in both clubs and teams

    In the past, gamers were known to 'clan hop'. While this at the time may have rewarded certain players with immediate gratification (in sponsorships, prize-money, etc.) it did  nothing to allow a club to fully develop the gamer. If a club is not sure about the length of time that a gamer will be a member of the club, the club is more likely to abuse the gamer's skills and not further develop the gamer. So it has been in the past where MSSA has seen some gamers move from one club to another as soon as the club offered the gamer that little bit more.

    Teams that also stick together, learn how to deal with each other as a group, deal with problems, and work better as a team.

  • Rationalise membership

    In terms of  MSSA's Constitution and Regulations, a Registered Player may only represent one club, unless a scholar. Scholars, affiliated to a  private club, are allowed to play for their schools in school leagues and championships. The club that the Registered Player may represent is the first club that the Registered Player joined in the season. Such club is  then known as the 'first claim' club and only such club  may enter  the person into championships or count his/her membership for voting rights.

    Thus, MSSA's records apropos membership do not  show 'double-dipping' as a Registered Player may only be shown as a member of only one club and are quite accurate.

  • Ensure sustainability of clubs

    The strength of any  association remains  its members. Since it is the clubs that are the members of MSSA, it is vital that MSSA protects and  develops the clubs themselves. By regulating the movement of players, clubs are better able to budget and plan for how they want to develop themselves.

Thus the transfer 'window' is now open. If you as a player want to transfer your allegiance from one club to another, do it before 28 February 2021...


Also read:

Provincial and Regional Directors are needed.


Members are aware that there are criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to stand  for a position on Mid Sports South Africa's (MSSA's) Board. The criteria ensure that there is continuity on the Board as well as that there is a greater understanding of the culture within MSSA, and an understanding of the issues surrounding the administration of MSSA.

However, it would b remiss, if not totally negligent, of MSSA to not provide an upward path to those who wish to eventually serve on MSSA's Board.

One such path, is for Registered Players to serve as a Provincial or Regional Director.

Their are nine Provincial Directorships available, and a staggering 52 positions available for the position of Regional Director..

While Provincial Directors are elected in for two year terms, Regional Directors only have a one-year term and are accountable directly to the Management Board.

The term of office shall be from the day of election until the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

However it should be noted that only athletes who meet the following criteria may be elected:

  • A member club has nominated the Registered Player on the prescribed form, and
  • The Nomination Form has been submitted to MSSA on or before 1 November 2020, and
  • A Letter of Undertaking has been submitted by the nominee, and
  • The Registered Player is fully-paid-up for the 2020/2021 year as at the date of nomination, and
  • The club nominating the Registered Player has paid its affiliation fees for the 2020/2021 season on or before 1 November 2020.

            Please note that only Registered Players may stand for the position in the province and/or region in which they live.

            If you want to be a Regional Director, ask your club to nominate you to the Management Board as soon as possible at mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

            Also  read:

            Thursday 29 October 2020

            GAMING FOR GOOD: HALLOWEEN GAMING WEEKEND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS


            Gamers are invited to view or participate in a spooky Halloween gaming session, hosted by gaming group, Gaming Den ZA on 31 October and 1 November to raise funds for Christel House South Africa, a non-profit school. By joining the event, gamers can opt to donate and help students receive buckets of hope, filled with essential food items and treats for the December holidays. Sponsor as many buckets for students as you like or split the cost of one with a friend at R200.00 each.

            The game, ‘Among Us’ will be played and is for free on the Google Play Store and Apple Store on mobile and costs R42.00 to play on the PC Steam platform. A Steam account is needed in order to access the game. For gamers who would like to play the game, join the Gaming Den ZA discord server and make sure you have a microphone.

            Caitlin Singh says, “Fundraising is about more than money, it is about helping those who are less fortunate in any way we can. Our way of fundraising - doing dares, singing, and playing video games - does not only bring a smile to our faces, but it will a bring a smile to the students in need and hopefully make their December holidays more special.”

            Situated in Ottery (Cape Town), Christel House SA is a no-fee school that enrols 740 students who all come from severely impoverished communities on the Cape Flats. Along with quality education from Grade R to Grade 12 and career support for an additional 5 years post matric, students receive daily transport to the school and back, professional health care, nutritious meals, psychosocial counselling and family assistance to ensure they break free from the cycle of poverty.

            Gamers also stand a chance to win some amazing prizes, including wireless headphones, a Bluetooth speaker and other tech gadgets.

            Event details:

            31st October:

            Afternoon Stream: 12:00PM - 14:30PM

            Evening Stream: 7:00PM - 9:30PM

            1st November:

            Afternoon Stream: 12:00PM - 14:30PM

            Evening Stream: 7:00PM - 9:30PM

             

            Important links

            YouTube channel:

            https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnOHlA299wqWY9RSJBI-w  

            Donation Link:

            https://www.givengain.com/ap/caitlin-singh-raising-funds-for-christel-house-south-africa-33207/

            Discord server link:

            https://discord.gg/ETYjM85

            Learn more about Christel House South Africa:

            https://sa.christelhouse.org/

            Reminder: The deadline is 1 November 2020.

             

            Amanda Kwaza (MSSA President) will oversee major changes  to MSSA's Board with the possibility of 9 new Board members being voted in.

            Only Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) runs accredited, and official, regional, provincial, and national championships and leagues.

            Any event not accredited by MSSA is essentially a flawed event as not only does it not have any accreditation, but it is not able to ensure the metal and physical health of the participants.
            Thus serving on Mind Sports South Africa's Management Board is not for the faint-hearted as there are many tough, and some unpopular, decisions to be made on a continuous basis.

            It is during these times when Board members have to stand up and be counted, times when you know that it is the right decision, albeit not a popular one. It all comes down to ethics.

            Even bearing all the above in mind, the work is done gleefully by a core of volunteers who seek no reward other than seeing the various disciplines and games grow, and watch the athletes attain their full potential.

            Every club may nominate athletes for the Board, and since retiring officers are not automatically made eligible for re-election, even retiring officers need to be nominated by a member club in good standing, if the following criteria are met:
            • A member club has nominated the Registered Player on the prescribed form, and
            • The Nomination Form has been submitted to MSSA on or before 1 November 2020, and
            • A Letter of Undertaking has been submitted by the nominee, and
            • The Registered Player is fully-paid-up for the 2020/2021 year as at the date of nomination, and
            • The club nominating the Registered Player has paid its affiliation fees for the 2020/2021 season on or before 1 November 2020.
            However it should be noted that only athletes who meet the following criteria may be elected on to the Management Board:
            • Have served a full term on the Management Board, or
            • Have served a full term as Provincial Director (2 year terms), or
            • Have served two full terms as Regional Director (1 year term), or
            • Have served two full terms on a Board of Control (1 year term), or
            • Have earned at least ten (10) Protea caps, or
            • Have served three years on the club committee of which they are currently a member.
            All elections are done on a staggered basis, so, although the Management Board consists of 16 members, only 9 positions may be contested at the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The system of doing the elections on a staggered basis allows MSSA to have a greater degree of stability as the entire Management Board is not able to be elected at any one time which preserves MSSA's continuity and knowledge base.

            The positions available on MSSA's Management Board are all 3 year terms and are:
            • Vice-President
            • One Executive Officer
            • Disabled Gamers' Representative
            • Legal Advisor (only a qualified lawyer may hold this position)
            • National Schools' Director (only an Educator may hold this position)
            • Disabled Gamers’ Representative
            • Womens’ Representative (only a female may hold this position)
            • Card Gaming Representative
            • Board Gaming Representative
            Also read:

            FROM ZERO TO HERO WITH ESPORTS:

             


            Every Esports Advocate can tell the power of Esports to the youth in creating a culture of hope, passion and youth development. Esports severs as a safe haven for the youth away from drug addiction, #boredom and other social vices.

            Esports reach out to the youth via their interest and passion, and therefore creates alternative employment skills and disciplines that are never taught in the classroom.

            In Africa, Esports is a tool for socio economic transformation via Technology, Entertainment, Education, Entrepreneurship, Sportsmanship and Community building programs that seeks to alleviate poverty and offers better livelihoods.

            Esports offers new and exciting ways to engaging Generation XYZ. The broad spectrum of it being able to be integrated into any Experiential activities is only limited to one's imagination. 

            Competitive Play,  Gamification, Streaming, Teams, Brand Affinity are all top of the iceberg but below the surface are critical success points that goes beyond the huge prize pool.

            ESPORTS  can really HELP transforms the lives of ordinary people to rise up from #Zero to #Hero.

            You are thinking of positive transformation... THINK OF ESPORTS.

            Also read:

            Sunday 25 October 2020

            Tonight's the night...


            South Africa has played against Namibia in a number  of test matches in the FIFA esports title, but tonight, for the first time, South Africa will take on Namibia in a match wherein PRO  EVOLUTION SOCCER (PES 2020) in a bid to qualify for the prestigious IESF 12th World Championships -Eilat, 

            Riezwaan Hakim shall represent Mind Sports South Africa's official Protea Esports Team, as sponsored by ZAG Academy and EnerGHack.

            Riezwaan Hakim has already excelled in the South African scene, and comfortably won MSSA's National Team Trials. He has already shown great dedication and commitment to tonight's game by throwing himself into a gruelling training schedule.

            All MSSA's officials are convinced that Riezwaan will represent South Africa, MSSA, PES SOCIETY, and himself with pride.

            Details of the match are:

            Date: 25 October 2020
            Time: 17H00
            Format: Best of 5 (Bo5)

            The game can be viewed on IESF TV - https://twitch.tv/iesf_tv

            Saturday 24 October 2020

            DOTA 2 - Team Esports South Africa takes on Namibia

             

            In a bid to qualify for the prestigious IESF 12th World Championships -Eilat, Mind Sports South Africa's official Protea Esports Team, sponsored by ZAG Academy and EnerGHack, once again take on Namibia.

            The matches between South Africa and Namibia are fast becoming a grudge-match.

            So far the Proteas have a credit balance against Namibia in DoTA, having won in 2014, lost in 2019 (at IESF's 11th World Championships), and having won again in 2020.

            However, Namibia is not taking the qualifying match lightly, and have restructured their team to be, what many believe, to be the strongest DoTA 2 team ever fielded by Namibia.

            Thus, South Africa  has its work cut out for itself, and only time will tell as to who will emerge as the victor.

            The South African team consists of seasoned athletes under the astute leadership of Jessie Joubert.

            Nameclubposition
            James Gregory ArmstrongOakhill SchoolPlayer
            Jessie Dos Santos JoubertZAG AcademyCaptain
            Lourens KokZAG AcademyVice-Captain
            Ryan ShearerOakhill SchoolPlayer
            Simon ShearerOakhill SchoolPlayer

            Details of the match are:

            Date: 25 October 2020
            Time: 17H00
            Format: Best of 5 (Bo5)

            The game can be viewed on IESF TV - https://twitch.tv/iesf_tv

            ENERGHACK REAFFIRMS ITS SPONSORSHIP OF SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIONAL PROTEA ESPORTS TEAM

            Amanda Pakade (President of Mind Sports South Africa) and Jan Theron of EnerGHack.

            EnerGHack dipped its toes into the international esports team by sponsoring Mind Sports South Africa's Protea Esports Team in 2019. EnerGHack's part sponsorship of the team was instrumental in getting MSSA's team to IESF's 11th World Championships - Seoul. 

            The product given to the team proved highly popular among the Protea Team, as well as to the many  other participants who tasted it. Athletes from USA, Argentina, Namibia, Tunisia, and many European countries all expressed their interest in EnerGHack's energy drink.

            EnerGHack's Jan Theron stated, "We look forward to a great year of association with MSSA again." and Amanda Pakade (President of Mind Sports South Africa) was equally enthusiastic when she stated, "MSSA is proud t associate itself with such a high quality company and product. The faith that EnerGHack has shown in MSSA shall not go misplaced, and EnerGHack is bound to see positive results from its association with MSSA."

            The South African National Protea Team will go into battle against Namibia for its place in IESF's 11th World Championships on Sunday, 25 October 2020 from 17H00.
             

            Tuesday 20 October 2020

            And the games begin


            Even with the trials and tribulations facing the world at the current moment in time, International Esports Federation (IESF) has ensured that its 12th edition of its annual world championships is held.

            Due to the many constraints that surround the COVID -19 pandemic, a number of changes have had to be made to ensure that the championship is fair to all participants.

            Thus regions have been created in order to create regional champions through online play. It is these regional champions that shall attend the actual final championships that shall he held in Eilat, Israel early next year (2021).

            Tonight (20 October 2020) the games begin, with the 'kick-off' in Central America. The game title to be played is PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2020 (PES 2020).

            The time is at 10H00 (SAST) and the game can be viewed on IESF TV - https://twitch.tv/iesf_tv

            The standard of play is sure to enthrall all who spectate.

            Also read:

            Saturday 17 October 2020

            Take what is yours...


            Even though the government has implemented regulations for level 1 in regard to COVID-19, Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) Board as decided to hold MSSA's 2020 South African National Championships as a LAN event. The reason for doing so is  to take into account the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and to ensure that there is maximum participation, without compromising the health of any of its Registered Players,  at such national championship.

            MSSA will thus be holding its South African National Online Championships on 5 December 2020.

            MSSA's 
            South African National LAN Provincial Championships has thus not been replaced by this event.

            MSSA's 1st 
            South African National Online Championships, which will offer local players the opportunity to qualify for selection to the national squad and for the Protea Team.


            In order to participate, players must be registered for the 2020/2021 season
            .


            Obviously Registered Players may participate from the comfort of their own home while being safe from the ravages of COVID-19.


            The championship shall be held on 5 December 2020.


            Game titles to be played are:


            TITLES10H0011H0012H0013H0014H0015H00
            Paladins PC/PS4Round 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 Starts
            LUNCH
            Round 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            FIFA’20Round 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2020Round 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            HearthStoneRound 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            Street Fighter VRound 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            Clash RoyalRound 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            Counter-Strike: GORound 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            League of Legends (LoL)Round 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            DotA 2Round 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts
            TEKKEN 7Round 1 StartsRound 2 StartsRound 3 StartsRound 4 StartsRound 5 Starts

            Tournament Structure:


            As per the MSSA's rules, being:

            • If less than six teams, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
            • If 6 to 10 teams enter the championship there shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
            • If 11 or more teams enter the championship there shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

            Eligibility:

            • Any team consisting of players who are Registered Players affiliated to a MSSA member club may enter.

              Entries:


              Medals:


              Medals shall be handed over to winners at the next MSSA LAN that they attend. 


                    MALE:

              • PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams.

              • UNDER 24: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal and which are comprised entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognised University.

              • SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognised school, provided they have not received any Premier medals. 

                      FEMALE:
              • PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams.

              • UNDER 24Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal and which are comprised entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognised University.

              • SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognised school, provided they have not received any Premier medals.

              Colours:

              • Protea Colours: Only Players that are selected to represent South Africa in International Championships may earn National Colours if the Protea Colours Board's criteria are met.
              • 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.

              General:

              • The championship shall be played on: 5 December 2020
              • The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round.
              • The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. 
              • The championship shall be used for the awarding of provincial colours;
              • The championship shall be used for the awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in Premier, Under 24, and School categories;
              • The championship shall be used for the ability to qualify for National Team Squad.
              • All medals shall be awarded to the recipients at a MSSA LAN championships.

              Umpires:

              • Umpires may only be contacted over Skype on the day of competition. Any communication not on the Skype channel shall not be entered into.

              Ladder:

              • All games shall count towards the National Ladder.

              Shout casting:

              Also read: