Saturday, 20 May 2023


The Global Esports Federation (GEF) and the European Olympic Committees (EOC) confirmed that #EGE23 will run from June 30 to July 2. The International Congress Center (MCK) in Katowice will become the epicenter of digital competition and is set to be a landmark event in the region's sporting calendar.

The Open and Women Categories for eFootball™ 2023 and Open Category for Rocket League at #EGE23 will allow esports athletes from across the continent to compete for national glory.

 

Commenting on the groundbreaking nature of #EGE23, Aurelia Ruetsch, GEF Board Member and Chair of the EGE23 Coordination Commission, said, “The European Games Esports Championships represents a pioneering moment for esports in Europe. Having been part of the team at the inaugural European Games Baku 2015, I am thrilled to see another first with the EOC as we convene top-level esports competitions alongside traditional sports, celebrating youth culture in the heart of Europe.”

 

“We are delighted to see esports in this prestigious event – the European Games. The #EGE23 is a significant milestone in the development of esports in Europe. It’s a joyful celebration of youth, esports, and sport all together,” added Chris Chan, President of the GEF.

 

In addition to the esports competitions, the #EGE23 will feature the GEFestival – a celebration of esports’ inclusive culture, games, music, and entertainment – and GEFcon, a global convention of thought leaders and idea creators in business, esports, sport, and technology on an international stage for sharing and learning.

 

Spyros Capralos, EOC President, said, “The Esports Championships is an extraordinary addition to the European Games lineup and underscores the progressive vision of the diversity and inclusivity of the sports world, highlighting the common ground they share in terms of dedication, strategy, and the pursuit of excellence.

 

“We are delighted to collaborate with the Global Esports Federation on the first of many planned initiatives.”

 

Hasan Arat, Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the European Games 2023, said, “The EOC is delighted to have partnered with the Global Esports Federation to host the Esports Championships in Katowice this summer.

 

“Esports is hugely popular worldwide, especially among the younger generation, and as the European Games continues to look for ways to innovate and attract a younger audience, this is a significant step.

 

“The International Congress Center in Katowice will be the perfect venue for the competition, and I know that it will be a memorable occasion for all the esports athletes taking part.”

 

The #worldconnected community of GEF is thriving and expanding, with a diverse and thrilling range of global events this year. These include the Pan American Esports Championships in Santiago and the Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games in Saudi Arabia. These events are aimed at bringing together exceptional talents in esports while highlighting the diversity and enthusiasm of #worldconnected.

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Tuesday, 16 May 2023

In memoriam - Damien 'Fuhito' Coulombel

The entire worldwide Tekken community mourns the passing of Damien 'Fuhito' Coulombel.

It is with sadness that Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has learned of Damien 'Fuhito' Coulombel's passing.

He was a very talented player and had an unique style.

His absence leaves an indescribable void within the TEKKEN community.

Long will be remembered the beautiful moments shared, the smiles exchanged and the memories that will remain engraved forever.

You will forever remain in our thoughts.

MSSA, and all its members, Our condolences to Fuhito's family and loved ones.

At this difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the privacy and pain of those around Fuhito.

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Uganda has an Esports Federation


Confederation of African Esports (CAES) continues to help grow esports throughout Africa.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has been a member of CAES since 2008 and has been part of its successes in promoting esports in Africa.

Currently CAES is in talks with a dynamic group in Uganda.

The Uganda Esports Federation (UeSF) is the National governing and regulatory body for all Esports activities in Uganda. 

UeSF Headquarters are located in Kampala, Uganda

Email: uesf256@gmail.com

Tel: +256 752297034

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Saturday, 6 May 2023

IESF Expands Female’s CS:GO Tournament for 2023 World Esports Championships


International Esports Federation (IESF) today announced the expansion of the women’s CS:GO tournament from four to 10 teams at the 2023 World Esports Championships Finals, taking place from August 24 to September 4 in Iași, Romania. The expansion comes after the success of the inaugural installment of the tournament at the 2022 WE Championships Finals in Bali, Indonesia. 

The 2022 WE Championships was a historic moment for female gamers, as the introduction of the women’s CS:GO tournament drew large crowds and was a massive stride towards greater inclusion in esports. IESF aims to uplift and empower female gamers in all competitions, and the women’s CS:GO tournament allows for more of the world's best all-female teams to compete at the highest level. 


IESF President Vlad Marinescu said: "We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the women’s CS:GO tournament at this year's World Esports Championships. This reflects the progress we have made in making esports more inclusive for all. We can't wait to see what these incredible teams will bring to this year's competition. IESF strongly believes in removing barriers to access for female gamers, and providing them with more opportunities to shine on the world's biggest stage." 


MSSA President, and IESF past president, Colin Webster stated: "Since 2012 IESF had introduced tournaments for females - sometimes with very stiff opposition from sectors of the gaming community. For a while it was only MSSA that would submit all female teams to IESF. I, and MSSA as a whole, therefore welcomes this action by IESF and hopes that IESF will expand on the programme to have more opportunities in many more game titles".

Gabriella Isaacs - 2nd in
StarCraft II (females)
IESF's 4th World Esports
Championships - Cheonan.


Webster then went on to state, " MSSA is proud to have had fourteen (14) females officially represent South Africa as members of the Protea team at various IESF World Esports Championships. One such athlete, Gabriella Isaacs even finished second in 2012 in the StarCraft II tournament.

IESF Chief Marketing Officer Ana Karakolevska said: "I am proud of IESF for leading the charge in making esports more inclusive for all. We have made rapid progress in just a few years and IESF hopes to continue providing opportunities to promote gender equality in the World Esports Family and beyond. We can't wait to watch 10 of the world's best teams battle it out in fast-paced CS:GO action in Lași!"


IESF's regional qualifiers for the WE Championships will get underway in May and June, and the top ten female CS:GO teams will secure their spots in the Finals, which will begin in August. IESF also works with several organizations, including Women in Games and Girl Gamer Esports Festival, to help foster and promote a safe and equitable environment for women in the esports industry. 


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Challengermode named Official Platform Partner for the IESF World Esports Championship Qualifiers

The partnership makes Challengermode the Exclusive Qualifications Platform Partner for the 15th World Esports Championship, hosted by the International Esports Federation (IESF)

Leading esports platform Challengermode has been selected as the official platform partner for the global qualifiers of the 15th World Esports Championship. The tournament is being organized by the International Esports Federation (IESF) and will take place in Iasi, Romania later this year in August.

Starting from May 1st, national teams from across the world will be able to qualify for the main event through regional qualifiers hosted for Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Competitions will be held across multiple esports titles, including CS:GO, Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, and Mobile Legends:Bang Bang.


As the official platform partner, Challengermode will leverage its high-quality tournament operations toolkit and automation to provide a seamless and efficient qualifying process at a truly global scale. The official IESF Space on Challengermode will also create a one-stop shop for teams, coaches, and administrators involved in the World Championship's Qualifications stage - creating a truly seamless experience for everyone.

Philip Hubner, CBDO at Challengermode, said: "We are thrilled to partner with the International Esports Federation for the World Esports Championship Qualifiers. We believe that our platform's capabilities and expertise in managing large-scale esports tournaments make us the perfect partner for activation of this size. We couldn’t be more excited to be trusted by IESF to play such a pivotal part in making the World Esports Championship happen. We’re eager to take the opportunity to showcase our technology and provide a world-class experience to all participants."


Igor Nedeski, Competitions Manager at IESF, said: "We are delighted to announce our partnership with Challengermode for the final phase of the World Esports Championship 2023. Hosting multi-continental online competitions is a major challenge and with Challengermode's expertise and experience, we are confident in our ability to deliver an exceptional gaming experience that will excite fans and players worldwide. Challengermode's support will be invaluable in ensuring the success of the Regional Qualifiers, and we are grateful for their assistance. Together, we aim to deliver a thrilling and unforgettable tournament that showcases the very best of esports on a global scale.”
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Mind Sport South Africa (MSSA) and TUT Department of Tourism Management collaborate on research to understand eSports

Gamers in action

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) and Dr Rosa Naudé-Potgieter from the Tshwane University Department of Tourism Management have joined hands to embark to on an exciting journey to better understand eSports within the South African context.

eSports can be described as online gaming, with organised competitions that take place up until a professional level. These online gaming platforms have been identified as a relatively new form of sport participation that expanded vastly, thanks to Covid-19, which forced people into their homes, while having unlimited network coverage. eSports has further been identified as a platform that can significantly contribute to the South African tourism industry, especially with opportunities of participants from the African market.

The industry is therefore keen to better understand the concept of eSports, its participants, motivations and travel behaviour. Understanding this form of sport will inform the industry of the potential opportunities that can be capitalized on as well as the needs of the participants. Some of the envisaged sub-research topics will include the motivation and needs of eSports players, the motivation and needs of eSports spectators and the travel behaviours and economic spending of eSports participants.

“We are truly looking forward to the results of these unique studies as it can guide the tourism industry on what improvements can be made to hopefully capture this market and reap the economic benefits” Dr Naudé-Potgieter stated. The research is registered at faculty as a none-degree purpose and rigorously went through a rigorous process to be issued an ethical clearance certificate by the university.

The initiative is also one of the Department of Tourism Management drive to have a foot print in gaming research in South in preparation of the implementation of the new Diploma Casino Resort Management qualification which involves great element of gaming.

MSSA President, Colin Webster, is equally enthusiastic about the results of this study and stated, "The results will further clarify the esports landscape which will benefit all involved whether they be sponsors, spectators, and/or athletes".

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Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Eric Brinkley joins Global Esports Federation as Director of Programs and Content

Eric Brinkley will focus on the next stages of the GEF’s development and programs. He brings with him over a decade of leadership experience in esports.

With over a decade of leadership experience at renowned organizations such as ESL, EA, and FACEIT, Eric has seen just about every side of the esports ecosystem, but no matter which hat he wears, the community has been his focus.

His career has centered on driving growth and overseeing programs that distribute esports content worldwide.

 

In his new role, Eric will focus on the next stages of the GEF’s development and programs. He will focus on developing properties and expanding reach, as the GEF continues to grow its #worldconnected mission.

 

“The GEF is in the right place at the right time,” Brinkley said. “I’m excited to use my experiences to help accelerate growth and forge new paths in the space. In addition to our commitment to growing a robust global portfolio, we are focusing on matters of social impact, working with diverse stakeholders and the community around the world.”

 

Expanding opportunities

 

This interconnectivity between each dimension of the esports universe occupies a lot of Brinkley’s headspace.

 

The GEF operates innovative properties throughout the world, from its flagship Global Esports Games to the pro-league Global Esports Tour, and more in the pipeline. “I look forward to working with our teams, Members, Partners, and industry leaders to unlock the limitless potential of the entire community.”

 

“Esports is more than just games, it’s a connected global community. I’m thrilled to be part of this team and to have the opportunity to help shape the future for esports.”

 

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REMINDER: 5th Provincial Online Student Championships - 6 May 2023

The 2022 Student Esports Team is South Africa's most successful student team ever!

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is deep in negotiations with other National Federations to have an official student es[orts team represent South Africa again on foreign soil.

MSSA's 2022 Student Esports Team has proven itself to be SA's most successful SA team in international competition having won the sum total of 400,000 Rubles.

There is no reason why South Africa's top students wouldn't enjoy such success again.

Thus MSSA's 5th Provincial Online Student Championships to be held on 6 May 2023 will be a major qualifying event for any student team selected to represent South Africa. Students who fail to take advantage of this opportunity will certainly regret their decision in the future.

Any student of any South African tertiary institution (University and colleges) may participate, regardless of whether the player is MSSA affiliated or not.

However, it should be noted that only official teams entered by University Clubs affiliated to MSSA or the Sports Councils may use the tertiary institution's name.

The championship allows students from all over the country to test their mettle against each other in an official championship that has the following benefits:

  • Enable students to earn Student Provincial Colours, and
  • Qualify for selection for the National Squad (if a Registered Player), and
  • Earn medals. The medals earned are awarded at MSSA's LAN Championships.
The event lasts from 10H00 until 18H00.

All the titles to be played at such event are:

TitlePlatformPlatformAge restrictionPlayers
Shooter
Call of Duty MobilePC/mobile185 v 5
CS GOPC165 v 5
PUBG MobileMobile174 v 4
Sport
FIFA '23Console121 v 1
eFootballConsole121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and console121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and console123 v 3
Sim racing – Assetto Corsa CompetizionePC121
MOBA
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobil;e121 v 1
Clash of NationsMobile121 v 1
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Mobile Legends: Bang BangMobile125 v 5
FightingTekken 7Console121 v 1

Details are as follows:
  • Eligibility: Any player/team affiliated to a South African tertiary institution may enter.
  • Entry fee: Entry is R100.00 per Registered Player. To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document. The entry form may be found on Google Drive. Clubs are to download the entry form, completed the downloaded form, and e-mail it to Mind Sports South Africa. The link for such form is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_ERR6815uVjSMu4t5KkRxYqGJ_AA88kkz31qRgksASc/edit#gid=287696184
  • Entry date: Entries need to be submitted by no later than Monday, 4 May 2023.
  • Registration: To register, players must complete the entry form.
  • Age restrictions: Age restrictions per game title shall be enforced
When and Where: 

The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 

Rules and Regulations: 

All Rules and Regulations pertaining to eSports are available from MSSA. Players are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the 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 MSSA who will take all comments into account.

The following Medals may be awarded at MSSA's 2023 Provincial Online Student Championships:
  • MIXED: Medals shall be awarded to the first three players who are currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • WOMEN: Women will be awarded medals as per the same basis as above.
Colours and National Team Trials:

All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Student 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 Student Provincial Colours. Registered Players wishing to shout-cast the event, must please contact Marisa van der Westhuizen at: mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

For additional information, please contact: mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

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