Wednesday 21 February 2024

To qualify for National Team Trials to represent South Africa.

The 2023 Protea Team at Dubai International while in transit to  IESF's 15th World Esports Championships held in Iasi, Romania, The team participated in Counter-Strike, DotA, efootball and Tekken.

I
n order to participate in MSSA's 
National Team Trials to represent South Africa, players must be registered for the 2023/2024 season.

All Registered Players who have qualified at MSSA's Regional, and/or Provincial, and/or National Championships are cordially invited to enter.

To have qualified, a Registered Player shall have:
  • Have finished in the top three places, or top 20% (whichever is greater), in a Provincial or National Championship, and/or
  • Have won a Regional Championship, and/or
  • Have won a Derby event, and or
  • Have represented South Africa in an international championship in 2023.
The Documents required are as follows:
  • Copy of South African Passport.
  • Signed Senior or Junior Contract (Please note a parent or guardian will need to sign if the player is under 18 years of age).
  • Copy of an Unabridged Birth Certificate for players under the age of 18

On reviewing the above, it is evident that the rules to qualify for MSSA's National Team Trials are indeed not onerous and open to all South Africans wishing to participate.

Additional reading:

IESF announces game titles for 16th World Esports Championships to be held in 2024.

The titles offered at the 2024 World Esports Championships (WEC).

IESF (International Esports Federation) typically selects game titles for its official competitions based on several criteria including popularity, competitive balance, accessibility, and the ability to foster a global esports community.

International Esports Federation (IESF) for the 2024 World Esports Championships (WEC) has thus announced the game titles offered, being:

  • Counter-Strike 2 (open)
  • Counter-Strike 2 (female)
  • DOTA 2 (open) 
  • eFootball (Open) 
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open)
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (female)
  • PUBG mobile (open)

The open category allows teams or players to be either female or male. A female team may only consist of female players.

Thus, it is not imaginable, that should our female players outperform our male players in provincial championships, and at National Team Trials (NTT), the entire 2024 Protea team could only consist of females.

With South Africa (through MSSA) having participated in every IESF World Championships since the inception of such championships in 2009, MSSA expects a fierce competitive spirit to continue to grow among its membership as players fight for a place in the Protea Team.

Tuesday 20 February 2024

13th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 2 March 2024

Learners have great opportunities to qualify for Provincial and National Teams at this event.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) shall be holding its ever popular 13th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships on 3 March 2024.

An important feature of this championship, is that it is open to any learner, whether or not the school is affiliated or not, however, approval from the school is required. Such approval must come from an educator or competent school official.

Learners who are being homeschooled may also participate, but such homeschool clubs must be affiliated to MSSA as a private club.

However, for team events, it is required that all members of the team are all from the same school.

Players, will be able to play from any venue/s approved by the school.

MSSA's 13th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships, offers local players the opportunity to qualify for selection to the national squad and for the Protea Team that will attend international events should they meet the criteria. Such events may include events accredited by IESF, GEF, CAES, and ACDS.


The championship shall be held on 2 March 2024. Entries must be submitted before midnight on 1 March 2024.


Game titles to be played are:

Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
FPS
Counter-Strike 2PC185 v 5
ValorantPC/console165 v 5
Sport
FIFA '24Console121 v 1
eFootballConsole121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC121 v 1 and 3 v 3
MOBA
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Clash of ClansMobile121 v1
Mobile Legends Bang BangMobile125 v 5
FightingStreet Fighter VConsole121 v 1

Players are to acquaint themselves with the rules apropos substitutes and loadshedding.


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 learner currently registered for primary or secondary studies may enter.

Entry fee:

  • Entry is R50.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.

Entries:

Medals:

Medals shall be awarded to the first three gamers for both men and women (per  province) in the following categories:
  • MALE: The top three places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd)).
  • FEMALE: The top three places (1st, 2nd, and 3rd))
Please note that the medals shall be awarded to the players at the next LAN championship in which such team/player enters and participates.

Colours:
  • School Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn School Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a any two (or more) Provincial Championships, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn School Provincial Colours.
When and Where:
      • 2 March 2024
      • The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 
      • Players must all be on-line at 9H00.
              The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. This means that the championship shall be used for the following:
              • The awarding of school provincial colours;
              • The awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for both men and women;
              • The ability to qualify for National Team Trials. 
              • As usual Trials shall be done at a LAN venue, and the team that can best represent South Africa shall then be selected.
              • All medals shall be awarded to the recipients at a MSSA LAN championships.

              Shout casting:
              • The MSSA shall decide who may shout-cast the games.
              • Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com 

              Additional reading:

              Monday 19 February 2024

              Ridah Hendricks take Western Cape Sportsmanship title

              Ridah Hendricks (PES Society) has proven himself as a quality player as well as player with the highest standards of sportsmanship.

              Ridah Hendricks was awarded the Western Cape Sportsmanship title on Saturday, 17 February 2024. MSSA has a policy of awarding sportsmanship awards since the late 1980's after each and every evet held. There is no doubt that Ridah Hendricks is a deserving recipient. Ridah has shown a high degree of sportsmanship at every championship in which he has played whether it be at home or abroad.

              The sportsmanship award holds significant importance in the realm of sports for several reasons:

              • Promotion of Fair Play: Sportsmanship awards emphasize the importance of fair play, respect, and integrity in sports. They encourage athletes to compete with honor, showing respect for opponents, officials, and the rules of the game.

              • Character Development: Winning a sportsmanship award recognizes athletes for displaying exemplary character traits such as honesty, humility, empathy, and self-discipline. These qualities are essential not only in sports but also in life beyond the field or court.

              • Positive Role Modeling: Athletes who receive sportsmanship awards serve as positive role models for their peers and younger athletes. Their behavior and attitude inspire others to emulate similar values and conduct in both sports and everyday life.

              • Team Spirit: Sportsmanship awards reinforce the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. Athletes who exhibit good sportsmanship often contribute to a positive team environment, fostering unity and cooperation among teammates.

              • Enhanced Enjoyment of the Game: Good sportsmanship enhances the overall enjoyment of sports for participants, spectators, and officials alike. When athletes compete with respect and integrity, it creates a more pleasant and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.
              • Recognition of Effort Beyond Performance: While winning and performance are important aspects of sports, sportsmanship awards recognize athletes for qualities beyond their athletic abilities. This acknowledgment can motivate athletes to prioritize sportsmanship alongside their pursuit of excellence in performance.
              • Building a Positive Reputation: Athletes who consistently demonstrate good sportsmanship build a positive reputation for themselves, their teams, and their organizations. This reputation can open doors to opportunities such as scholarships, sponsorships, and leadership roles within the sports community.
              • Contribution to a Positive Sporting Culture: Recognizing sportsmanship through awards contributes to cultivating a positive sporting culture that values respect, fairness, and ethical conduct. This culture not only benefits individual athletes but also strengthens the integrity and reputation of sports as a whole.

              In conclusion, a sportsmanship award serves as a testament to the values of fairness, respect, and integrity in sports. It acknowledges athletes who exemplify these qualities and contributes to fostering a positive sporting environment conducive to character development, teamwork, and enjoyment for all involved.

              Additional reading:

              Sunday 18 February 2024

              Results: 2024 Western Cape Online Championships held on 17 February 2024.

              Je'nielle Cavanagh, of PES Society, in Cape Town, ably captained her team to qualify for the 2024 National Team Trials for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports title. 

              Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) kicked off the 2024 year by holding its 2024 Western Cape Online Championships on 17 February 2024.The provincial championship enabled participants to get off to a flying start and qualify for MSSA's National Team Trials (NTT) which will be used to select South Africa's National Protea Teams to attend the international events to which South Africa will send official teams.

              There were no less than five (5) provinces represented, and more importantly, there were more females participating since 2020. Of the 20 athletes who earned Provincial Colours, 5 of such athletes are females.

              The female esports team, AGH (PES Society), had a good showing in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports title. The team has now earned Provincial colours as well as qualifying for National Team Trials, and may very well end up in the National Squad and/or Protea Team. Of course, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is just  one of the six titles which MSSA has entered to contest at IESF's 15th World Championships. 

              IESF's 15th World Championships will be played to the following titles:

              • Counter-Strike 2
              • Counter-Strike 2 - Female division
              • DotA 2
              • eFootball
              • Mobile Legends, Bang Bang
              • Mobile Legends, Bang Bang - Female division
              • PUBGM

              The winners of the 2024 Western Cape Online Championships are:

              TitleName of player/teamClubProvincial Colours awarded
              Clash Royale - PremierJohan CoetzeeHoerskool MiddelburgMpumalanga
              Counter-Strike 2
              ZAG CSZAG Academy
              Sebastian Montoya PelaezWestern Cape
              Joshua ChapmanGauteng
              Michael de VilliersEastern Cape
              Aric MaharajWestern Cape
              Joshua RobertsWestern Cape
              eFootball - PremierRidah HendricksPES SocietyWestern Cape (Honours)
              Mobile Legends Premier
              ABHPES Society
              Keagan MohamedWestern Cape
              Jason WolhuterWestern Cape
              Ameen JacobsWestern Cape
              Kashief MatthewsWestern Cape
              Riezwan HakimWestern Cape
              Mobile Legends Female
              AGHPES Society
              Je'nielle CavanaghWestern Cape
              Mia AnthonyWestern Cape
              Salma ParkerWestern Cape
              Rushaan JacobsWestern Cape
              Fatiemah IsaacsWestern Cape
              Rocket League - Premier - 3 v 3
              Logical NerdsMiddies
              Shaun GerhardtMpumalanga
              Julio LopesMpumalanga
              Elijah BothaMpumalanga
              Sportsmanship AwardRidah HendricksPES Society

              Additional reading: