Showing posts with label Morabaraba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morabaraba. Show all posts

Friday, 27 February 2026

MSSA REMINDS OF ITS CLOSING DATE FOR 2025/2026 CLUB TRANSFER WINDOW


Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has confirmed that the official club transfer window for the 2025/2026 competitive season will close on 28 February 2026.

The transfer period, which opened on 1 November 2025, provides registered players with the opportunity to formally change their club affiliation ahead of the new competitive cycle. All transfer applications must be submitted and finalised before the closing date to ensure eligibility for provincial, national, and MSSA-sanctioned events during the 2025/2026 season.

In accordance with MSSA regulations:

  • Players may be registered with only one affiliated club at a time unless also registered with a school club.

  • A player remains the first-claim member of their current club until an official transfer is processed and recorded.

  • Participation in sanctioned events requires valid and current club registration.

The transfer deadline is critical to maintaining administrative accuracy, competitive fairness, and proper team selection processes across all MSSA disciplines, including board gaming, wargaming, esports, and other recognised mind sports.

Clubs are strongly encouraged to submit all required documentation well in advance of the closing date to avoid delays that could affect player eligibility. After 28 February 2025, transfers will not be permitted unless otherwise provided for under exceptional circumstances as outlined in MSSA regulations.

MSSA remains committed to structured governance and transparent administration to support the continued growth and professionalisation of mind sports in South Africa.

For further information, clubs and members are advised to consult official MSSA communication channels or contact the MSSA General Secretary.

About Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA)
Mind Sports South Africa is the national controlling body for mind sports in South Africa, responsible for the regulation, development, and promotion of competitive mind sports nationwide.

Additional reading:

Athlete's rights:

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Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Relationship between Mind Sports South Africa and independent esports operators

MSS is now 40 years old, and is, the oldest national federation of its type in the world.

Here’s how Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) relates to independent esports operators in South Africa — like private leagues, clubs, and competitive teams — based on the current landscape:

1. MSSA is the official national federation

MSSA is recognised under the Sport and Recreation Act as the national controlling body for mind sports, including competitive esports titles in South Africa. That means MSSA is officially the only authority that can govern, structure and administer esports as a sport at the national level, and is affiliated with bodies like SASCOC and the International eSports Federation.

Because of this status:

  • MSSA can sanction official provincial and national championships, giving competitors the chance to earn provincial or national Protea colours.

  • They decide which esports titles get included in official competition rosters.

2. Independent operators can affiliate with MSSA

Smaller esports groups and operators don’t automatically fall under MSSA — but many choose to affiliate with it. That means they formally link up so their teams can participate in MSSA-sanctioned events and players can be officially recognised.

Examples:

  • PES Society, an independent Pro Evolution Soccer community, signed up to MSSA to gain official status and competitive pathways.

  • Independent teams like Team efx have also affiliated to compete in sanctioned events and potentially represent South Africa internationally.

3. MSSA governs official competition, independent operators run other events

Independent esports operators — including leagues run by private promoters, tournament organisers, or community groups — often run their own competitions outside MSSA’s structure. These can include commercial leagues, grassroots events, and entry-fee tournaments run without MSSA sanctioning.

The relationship here is more parallel than hierarchical:

  • MSSA is the official federation for sporting recognition and official status.

  • Independent operators provide alternative spaces for competition, community building, and commercial growth.

4. Sometimes tension or dual systems emerge

Historically, there have been some debates in the community:

  • Some professional gamers and independent leagues have preferred private competitive circuits because they attract broader participation and better rewards than MSSA’s official pathways.

  • This has led to a kind of dual ecosystem: one shaped by MSSA’s official sport status, the other by independent competition and commercial esports growth.

5. MSSA’s role in regulatory clarity

In South Africa, esports governance isn’t regulated under gambling law when events are accredited as official esport events. MSSA’s sanctioning can help private events avoid being classified under other legislation.

In a nutshell

  • MSSA = official national governing body for competitive esports as a recognised sport in South Africa.

  • Independent esports operators = privately run leagues and organisations that may choose to affiliate with MSSA to gain official status or operate their own events alongside MSSA’s.

  • Their relationship is collaborative but not exclusive: affiliation is voluntary, and many independent operators also thrive outside MSSA’s official framework. 

Additional reading:

Athlete's rights:
Employment opportunities

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Saturday, 24 January 2026

Who qualifies for MSSA National Team Trials?

Mind Sports South Africa has reached its 40th anniversary and is the oldest national federation for

backgammon, esports, Morabaraba, and wargames in the world.

Eligibility for Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) National Team trials is generally limited to players who meet all of the following criteria, in accordance with MSSA regulations and selection policies:

  1. South African Citizenship or Eligibility

    • The player must be a South African citizen or otherwise eligible to represent South Africa under MSSA and international federation rules.

  2. Current MSSA Membership

    • The player must be a fully paid-up and registered MSSA member in good standing at the time of trials.

  3. Affiliation Through a Recognised Club or Body

    • The player must be affiliated to MSSA through a recognised club, provincial structure, or national body as required by MSSA regulations.

  4. Participation in Recognised Events

    • The player must have participated in MSSA-recognised competitions, leagues, or ranking events relevant to the discipline for which trials are being held.

  5. Performance-Based Qualification

    • Qualification is typically based on:

      • National rankings

      • Results in sanctioned events

      • Selection thresholds determined by the relevant Selection Committee

    • MSSA reserves the right to limit trials to players who meet minimum performance standards.

  6. Compliance With MSSA Codes and Policies

    • The player must comply with:

      • MSSA Code of Conduct

      • Anti-doping and fair-play regulations

      • Transformation, safeguarding, and governance policies where applicable

  7. Availability for International Representation

    • Players must confirm availability for:

      • The full duration of the international event

      • Training camps and preparatory activities

      • Travel and administrative requirements

Important Notes

  • Trials are not automatically open to all members; eligibility is determined per discipline and per event.

  • MSSA may also make direct selections or invite specific players to trials at its discretion.

  • Final authority rests with the relevant Selection Committee and the MSSA Executive.

Additional reading:

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Friday, 17 October 2025

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

Avonique Van Rooyen a young learner at Hoërskool Oosterlig is acknowledged as one of the world's rising stars in the female CounterStrike GO division demonstrating just how important school participation is.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), founded in 1984, is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.

MSSA promotes all  the different disciplines equally, although each school may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote at its school. Some schools 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 school.

The various games offer unique opportunities to many South African learners. Many learners 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. Many members of the national teams have been scholars, and all have benefited from their involvement in the national Protea Team. 

With the above in mind the MSSA has streamlined the process for schools to affiliate to the MSSA.

There is still the option open for a school to start a full-blown sub-club on its premises, but bearing in mind the tight regulatory conditions under which accredited schools have to operate in the Republic, the MSSA no longer deems it necessary for a school to start a sub-club.

As long as the school club has the approval of the school, and has an Educator-in-Charge, a school may affiliate by merely completing the Application for Affiliation Form and submitting such to MSSA. All applicants 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 school’s affiliation, the school then needs to complete the Google Registration Page allocated to the school for the players and make payment.

All school 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: 
  • Private 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 2025

The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable. All fees have increased by 3.3% in terms with the CPI since last year.

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

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Other news: 

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