Tuesday 30 April 2024

Results: Combined Online Provincial Championships for Schools - 27 April 2024

 

The Middies Mobile Legends Bang Bang Team is the youngest all female team to qualify for the Protea National Team Trials.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has just held its Combined Online Provincial Championships for Schools on 27 April 2024.

The provincial championship enabled participants to 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. Of the 20 athletes who earned Provincial Colours, 7 of such athletes are females.

The female esports team, Middies (Hoërskool Middelburg), had a good showing in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports title. The team has now earned High School Provincial Colours as well as being the youngest all female team in the game title to qualify 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 16th World Championships. 

(left) Mikara Nokraj and (right) HRH Prince Faisal bin
Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud
Mikara Nokraj (Dawnview High School) who so ably represented South Africa  in the 2023 Afro-Arab
League in Ryadh, has continued to go from strength to strength and  improve her standard ii9n each and  every championship in which she has played.

IESF's 16th 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 Combined Online Provincial Championships for Schools are:

TitleName of player/teamClubProvincial Colours awarded
Clash Royale - High SchoolEden RagovanHoërskool KlerksdorpNorth West High School
eFootball - High SchoolOnye OkekeDawnview High School
eFootball - High School - FemaleMikara NokrajDawnview High SchoolGauteng High Schools
FIFA 24 - High School
Mobile Legends - High School
Dawnviewers E Team
Jenny PejanaDawnview High SchoolGauteng High Schools
Relebogile NkadimengDawnview High SchoolGauteng High Schools
Onye OkekeDawnview High SchoolGauteng High Schools
Gerald KhumaloDawnview High SchoolGauteng High Schools
Thabiso SeabelaDawnview High SchoolGauteng High Schools
Mobile Legends - High School - Female
MiddiesMiddies
Lu-Zelle Kruger ©MiddiesMpumalanga High Schools
Antoenetha HattinghMiddiesMpumalanga High Schools
Rochelle BronkhorstMiddiesMpumalanga High Schools
Anneke GreylingMiddiesMpumalanga High Schools
Breydon SeimaMiddiesMpumalanga High Schools
Rocket League - High School - 1 v 1 - tie
Neith NarainPR0NHS
Luther PeensHoërskool Klerksdorp
Street Fighter VReneilwe MaphasaBenoni High School (Tuks)Gauteng High Schools
Sportsmanship AwardRelebogile NkadimengDawnview High School

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Saturday 27 April 2024

WADA suspends accreditation of Bloemfontein Laboratory

Photograph and article courtesy of WADA. See: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-suspends-accreditation-bloemfontein-laboratory

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended the accreditation of the South African Doping Control Laboratory (Laboratory) in Bloemfontein, South Africa, for a period of up to six months. 

In September 2023, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) imposed an analytical testing restriction (ATR) on the Laboratory as it related specifically to the Gas Chromatography / Combustion / Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analytical method. 

In February 2024, WADA received a recommendation from the Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (Lab EAG) to suspend the WADA accreditation of the Laboratory due to multiple non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories, including non-conformities with Technical Documents and the continued ATR, among other issues. 

The Laboratory accepted the recommendation for suspension which was approved by the Chair of the WADA Executive Committee. This process is now complete. 

The suspension, which took effect on 1 March 2024, prohibits the Laboratory from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including analyses of urine and blood samples, with the exception of analysis related to the Athlete Biological Passport hematological module. During the period of suspension, samples that have not yet been analyzed by the Laboratory, samples currently undergoing a confirmation procedure, and any samples for which an Adverse Analytical Finding has been reported, must be securely transported to another WADA-accredited laboratory. This is in order to ensure continued high-quality sample analysis, which also helps preserve athletes’ confidence in this process and the wider anti-doping system.  

During the period of suspension, the Laboratory shall address all non-conformities identified by the Lab EAG or WADA in any request for corrective action or otherwise, as well as any additional non-conformities identified by any follow up WADA site visit during the suspension period. If the Laboratory satisfies the Lab EAG in meeting these requirements, it may apply for reinstatement prior to the expiry of the six-month suspension period. Should the Laboratory not address the non-conformities by the end of the six-month suspension period, WADA may extend the suspension for up to an additional six months. 

In accordance with the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. This monitoring process is conducted in conjunction with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). 

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Digital Marketing Manager


The purpose of this role is to create an engaged digital community, increasing the profile and visibility of the Commonwealth Sport brand. The role is responsible for the implementation of the Commonwealth Sport digital content strategy, planning the delivery, measurement and reporting of campaigns and all activation across digital and social media channels, web and CRM to build loyal and engaging communities across the Commonwealth.

For more info, go to: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/#inbox/FMfcgzGxStrhwfLBXdSMgqXRvNJGcXnG

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Wednesday 24 April 2024

Combined Online Provincial Championships for Schools - 27 April 2024

Colin Webster, MSSA President) at Hoërskool Middelburg (Middies) with three of the school's top players. Hoërskool Middelburg is a loyal member that has produced many players who have earned provincial colours. (Photo by @Lyricz)

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) shall be holding its ever popular annual Online Provincial Championships for schools on 27 April 2024.

An important feature of this championship, is that it is only open to schools affiliated to MSSA.

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

Players, will be able to play from venues approved by the school.

MSSA's Online Provincial Championships for schools offers local players the opportunity to qualify for selection to the national squad and for the Protea Team should they meet the criteria.


The championship shall be held on 27 April 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:
        • 26 April 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 

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                    Monday 22 April 2024

                    Volunteer for a Provincial Directorship

                    The success of a province rests heavily on the shoulders of the Provincial Director.

                    Members are aware that there are criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to stand  for a position on Mind 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 and to provide an upward path to those who wish to eventually serve on MSSA's Board.

                    Strong provincial leadership in organizations like the Mind Sorts South Africa (MSSA) is vital for several reasons:'

                    1. Strategic Direction: Provincial leaders provide strategic direction and vision for the MSSA, ensuring that its goals and objectives align with the broader educational priorities and needs of the province.
                    2. Resource Allocation: They oversee the allocation of resources, including funding, personnel, and infrastructure, to support the effective functioning of the MSSA and its programs at the provincial level.
                    3. Policy Development: Provincial leaders play a key role in develo
                      ping policies and guidelines that govern the operations of the MSSA within the province. These policies ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
                    4. Advocacy: They serve as advocates for the interests of MSSA within their province, representing their needs and concerns at provincial government and within the MSSA itself.
                    5. Capacity Building: Strong provincial leadership facilitates capacity building initiatives within the MSSA, including training programs to enhance skills and competencies in areas such as leadership, governance.
                    6. Quality Assurance: Provincial leaders oversee quality assurance mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the performance of member clubs and MSSA programs within their jurisdiction, ensuring adherence to standards of excellence and continuous improvement.
                    7. Collaboration: They foster collaboration and partnerships with other stakeholders, including government agencies, school boards, parent organizations, and community groups, to leverage resources and expertise.
                    8. Innovation and Adaptation: Strong provincial leadership promotes innovation and adaptation within the MSSA, enabling it to respond effectively to changing trends, the needs of the athletes, and societal challenges.

                    9. Accountability: Provincial leaders are accountable for the performance and outcomes of the MSSA to the Board, ensuring transparency, integrity, and responsible stewardship of resources.

                    Overall, strong provincial leadership is essential for ensuring the effectiveness, relevance, and impact of the MSSA in promoting quality secondary education and supporting the holistic development of students across the province.

                    Their are nine Provincial Directorships available and are                     elected in for two year terms at the AGM, although, since Registered Players will be co-opted, he term of office shall be from the day of co-option until the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

                    However it should be noted that only Registered Players who meet the following criteria may be co-opted:

                    1. A member club has nominated the Registered Player, and
                    2. The Nomination Form has been submitted to MSSA on or before 26 April 2024, and
                    3. A Letter of Undertaking has been submitted by the nominee, and
                    4. The Registered Player is fully-paid-up for the 2023/2024 year as at the date of nomination, and
                    5. The club nominating the Registered Player has paid its affiliation fees for the 2023/2024 season.

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

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

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