MSSA elections: Colin Webster enters the race for the presidency.

Colin Webster at the IeSF's 7th World Championships

Having been a founder of Mind Sports South Africa, Colin has seen it all.

From the very beginning when Mind Sports was not an accredited Sport, through to when MSSA was accepted as a sport until it became the body that it become today.

There is a great deal of speculation that Colin only stood down as President in 2013 as to not fall foul of the SASCOC rule that forbids a president of a national federation from holding such office for more than ten years on a continuous basis.

"It is true that I stood down in order to comply with the rules, but that was not the only reason!". remarked Colin Webster.

It seems as though one of the other reasons was to give others a chance at running the organisation.

Colin's great belief is that MSSA is a vehicle in which those administrating it take their instructions from the passengers. The passengers are the member clubs.

Colin too, only has good things to say about Simphiwe Maphumulo.

"Simphiwe came in at a difficult time, rose to the challenge, and steered MSSA safely through some pretty turbulent times".

However, under Colin's presidency (2005 to 2013), the following was achieved:

• MSSA was a founding member of SASCOC,
• eSports became recognised as a sport,
• MSSA sent teams to world championships every year,
• MSSA was a founder member of the Confederation for African eSport,
• MSSA hosted the African Continental Championships in 2008, 
• MSSA affiliated to IeSF, and
• MSSA affiliated to IeSMoD.

Of course there are those  that do not agree with Colin. Some have been quite malicious in their postings, while  the others have clearly not understood where MSSA is going and for what it stands.

Colin is nominated by the Old Edwardian Wargames Club.

MSSA nominates its General Secretary for another term on the IeSF Board

Colin Webster - MSSA's General Secretary

With the closing date for nominations for International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) Board positions having passed, MSSA recently revealed that NF had once again nominated Colin Webster for a position on the Board.

It should be noted that Colin has attended every single IeSF Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) since 2009 and has been involved in drafting many of the constitutional changes. Many of the changes have helped IeSF to develop to what it is now.

Colin Webster was involved in drafting the Statutes for the short-lived IeSMoD (the International eSports federation for the disabled gamer) which was later  renamed as IeSA.

However, MSSA withdrew its support from the IeSMoD believing that IeSF and IeSA should combine. Even though South Africa enjoyed great success in 2010 at IeSA's World Championships, MSSA still advocated the merging of the two bodies which would enable both able-bodied and disabled gamers to compete side-by-side.

Without MSSA's support the International Federation (IF) faltered and collapsed.

Colin has been very dedicated to IeSF, and in 2013 was elected onto IeSF's Board.

However, the term of office is now up, and at the 2016 Ordinary General Meeting, members shall vote for for the Board that  shall carry IeSF forward until 2019.

Since IeSF has yet to reveal the other candidates, it is anyone's guess as to who will be elected.

Developments at the IeSA

Prof Sok-Rok Song (left) and Jaco Engelbrecht (right)

The MSSA stated in a recent facebook posting that it learnt with shock that the General Secretary, Prof. Sok-Rok Song, had resigned from his position on the IeSA (being the International eSports Federation for the Differently Abled).

The IeSA is the successor to the IeSMoD which was founded in 2011. However after a change of constitution, and change of name, the IeSA was born.

All those who ever participated in the IeSMoD or the IeSA will always be indebted to Prof. Sok-Rok Song for all the work that he put into making the IeSA a success.

According to Lim Puay Tiak, it will be difficult to replace  Prof. Sok-Rok Song as he was a prime mover and was always able to secure sufficient funding.

Apparently the President of the IeSA, President Lim, has taken over the reigns and is directly co-ordinating the IeSA's affairs.

Few South Africans though will ever forget the successes shared by Jaco Engelbrecht and Jason van Belkum at the IeSA World Championships on the island of Jeju in 2011.

The international community will always miss Prof. Sok-Rok Song, as it also wishes him every success in his future endeavours.

However, just moments ago the IeSA brought out a survey of the IeSA World Championship. Those interested may fill out the form. It takes just 5 mins.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DMEiC23-LjosrT_zBnTCO6bO5te9p9ZUxwCzeXg-tDI/viewform?usp=send_form