Friday, 23 January 2026

Clash Royale esports athletes may win a trip to Mumbai....

 


Today Global Esports Federation (GEF), formally invited its Member Federations to register for the Mumbai 2025 Global Esports Games (GEG25). The GEG25 World Finals will be held in Mumbai, India, from 26 February to 1 March 2026. 
 
Entry is for the following titles: 
 
  • DOTA 2 (PC): FIVE (5) Athletes + ONE (1) Coach per team, per country/territory  
  • Clash Royale (Mobile): ONE (1) Athlete per country/territory 
 
Since MSSA has already selected its DotA team for IESF's WEC25 (which is still to be held), MSSA shall be using the selected Protea Team for the DotA esports period for GEG25.

However, a Registered Player has not yet been selected for Clash Royale and noting that entries must be submitted by 28 January 2026, MSSA shall select the winner, or the highest ranked player if the winner cannot attend, at the Northern Cape Online Championships to be held on 24 January 2026 if:
  1. The Registered Player is affiliated to a member club,
  2. The player has a current passport,  and
  3. Signed Senior Contract (Please note only Registered Players who are 18 years or older of age are eligible for this event), and
  4. Confirmation to attend events (test matches and other matches).
Colin Webster, President of Mind Sports South Africa, stated, "This is a remarkable achievement by Global Esports Federation to still deliver to its members and athletes. Unfortunately there is little time afforded to the members to be as comprehensive as possible in selecting a Registered Player for the Clash Royale esports title. Nevertheless, MSSA and its Board are confident that the right person will rise to the top".
 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

REMINDER - Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships - 24 January 2026.

A triumphant Thato Wesley Maredi on his return to OR Tambo Airport after having represented South Africa in Casablanca, Morocco in the Mobile eFootball game title in December 2025.

With a number of international events likely to happen in 2026 it is always better to enter MSSA events earlier rather than later in order to qualify for MSSA's National Team Trials.

It is in MSSA's National Team Trials that teams will be selected for Protea teams that will officially represent South Africa in international events.

Remember that you cannot officially represent South Africa in an international event unless selected by MSSA.

MSSA's Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships  to be held on 24 January 2026 offers all esports athletes the first chance in 2026 to to qualify for National Team Trials.

Thus the hunt is on for the 2026 National Protea Esports Teams. 

To have a chance to qualify for selection, players must be members of an affiliated club and qualify for National Team Trials at a MSSA event.

In order to participate, players must be registered for the 2025/2026 season.

The championship shall be held on 24 January 2026.

Game titles to be played are:

Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
Shooter
CS 2PC165 v 5
PUBGMMobile181 v 1
ValorantPC165 v 5
Sport
EA SPORTS™ FC 26Console121 v 1
eFootballConsole121 v 1
eBasketball - eFIBAConsole121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC121 v 1 and 3 v 3
MOBA
Clash of ClansMobile121 v1
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Lreague of LegendsPC125 v 5
Mobile Legends Bang BangMobile124 v 4
Fighting
Tekken 8Console161 v 1
Street Fighter 6Console121 v 1

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:

  • Entry is R100.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.
  • Entries must be submitted by midnight 24 January 2026
  • To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document. 
  • The entry form may be found on Google Drive. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xggSHejr_fG4X5pAiGZVp6OmqQtdjA_1FeWtsGZr2Jo/edit?gid=0#gid=0
  • Clubs are to download the entry form, completed the downloaded form, and e-mail it to Mind Sports South Africa. 
  • Photographs of players must accompany the entry.
  • Only entries submitted via email and on Excel shall be accepted.

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

        FEMALE:

  • 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 recognized University.
  • SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized 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: 24 January 2026.
        • The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round.
        • Players playing 3 v 3 Rocket League shall be given 1.5 hours to complete the 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 Discord on the day of competition. Any communication not on the Discord channel shall not be entered into.

        Ladder:

        • All games shall count towards the National Ladder.

        Shout casting:

        Additional reading:

        Posted by at No comments:
        Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

        Sunday, 18 January 2026

        Thato Maredi finishes in the top eight!

         

        Thato Wesley Maredi (from Tembisa) proudly displaying his Protea Colours at the venue in Casablanca, Morocco.

        Having moved into the relegation rounds,  Thato was drawn against Setranirina Raharison of Madagascar. Setranirina is a player of great renown and the match was tense and thrilling.

        Nevertheless Thato triumphed over Setranirina in a 2 - 21 victory to move forward to meet his next opponent.

        Now in the top eight, Thato faced off against the indomitable         Haddadi Moslem of Tunisia.

        Thato gave it his all!

        Thato employed every stratagem, every tactic and all his skill, but unfortunately to no avail. Haddadi proved to be too strong and Thato succumbed to the strong Tunisian player and finally lost 0 - 2.

        Nevertheless, Thato, and MSSA as a whole, was more than satisfied with Thato's effort and result.

        This was the first time that Thato had played in an international event for South Africa, and, he had performed admirably.

        Colin Webster, President of MSSA, said, "Thato is the type of athlete that makes all of South Africa proud, and will no doubt do better in future years now that he knows the standard of play that he is up against!".

        Additional reading:

        Posted by at No comments:
        Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

        Friday, 16 January 2026

        Thato advances to the knock-out stages!

        Tembisan Thato Wesley Maredi (left) seen with Mamadou Ndiaye from Senegal.

        Even though the event ran two hours late which placed great strain on all the participating athletes, Thato Wesley Maredi, from Tembisa, rose to the challenge and kept his mind focussed on his games.

        After demolishing his opponent from Ethiopia and Libya, Thato had to face the skillful Mamadou Ndiaye from Senegal.

        Thatho battled hard against Mamadou, but eventually succumbed to intense pressure from the Senegalese player who is expected the finish in the top four.

        Nevertheless, Thato has progressed out of the group stages into the dreaded knock-out stages for the top sixteen (16) players.

        After a good night's rest, Thato is feeling enthused and ready to take on all opponents.

        As Thato said, "I will rectify my mistakes from yesterday - as I'm typing I am re-watching yesterday's stream   I am ready for today's matches, and I will give my best!".

        The matches are to be streamed on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPOERO55yWo

        Additional reading:

        Posted by at No comments:
        Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

        Procedure to be followed by private clubs affiliating for the 2026 season.

        The 2025 Female Protea Team for the Mobile League of Legends Bang Bang esports title resplendent in the purple Protea shirts...

        Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, Phygital games, and Wargames.

        MSSA promotes all  the different disciplines equally, although each affiliated club may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote in its club. Some clubs will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.

        The choice is ultimately up to the member club.

        The various mind sports offer unique opportunities to many South Africans. Many South Africans have been able to earn Regional, Provincial, and National Colours which have allowed them to earn bursaries and obtain first-class educations.

        MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. 

        All selected have found being part of the national team to be an education in itself.. 

        All clubs must be legal bodies, as well as being non-profit organizations. Thus each club needs to have a founding document. Associations may use the draft constitution as provided below.

        It is the club that is the member of MSSA, while the players are affiliated to the club.

        Any applicant needs to be aware of the following:

        In order to affiliate, the completed Application for affiliation Form must be submitted to the MSSA.

        Once the Board has approved a club’s affiliation, the club then needs to complete the Google Registration Page allocated to the club for the players and make payment.

        All club members may participate in all events for which it qualifies. Such events include meetings, championships, courses, and so forth. 

        Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: 

        There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:
        1. Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
        2. Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding – MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
        3. Being able to get assistance from your local government
        4. Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
        5. Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
        6. Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.
        MSSA’s Constitution   

        The Constitution forms the foundation of the MSSA. It guarantees members rights and governs the way that the MSSA operates. It can only be amended by a two-thirds majority at a Council Meeting. Please remember that Associations only have two (2) votes each, whereas member clubs have a representational vote, being: normal clubs: one vote per every five registered players, and school clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.

        MSSA’s General Regulations   

        The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed. Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.

        MSSA’s Discipline Specific Regulations   

        The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.

        Application for Affiliation form   

        When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.

        Fee note for 2026

        The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.

        Player Registration Form   

        The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.

        MSSA’s Letter of Undertaking   

        The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.

        Social Media

        The MSSA makes use of the following:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa

        Should you have any queries whatsoever, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

        Posted by at No comments:
        Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
        Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)