National Team Trials: Mobile Legends Bang Bang - 25 March 2023

For the first time ever, more females than males have qualified for an esports title to be played at National Team Trials.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has announced the date of its National Team Trials to be 25 March 2023. Such National Team Trials (NTT) shall be used to select the team to participate in IESF's 15th World Championships (WEC).

It should be noted that Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) shall be holding such NTT online

However, players can play online with the following proviso's:

1. Player's in the same team entered from the same province shall play from the same venedue, and
2. Players in the same team from different provinces may play from different provinces, and
3. Players participating in individual titles (1v1) from the same club and who reside in the same province shall play from the same venue, and
4. All venues must have a club member in attendance.

MSSA shall select the highest placed team and/or individual based on:

1. Confirmation to attend events (test matches and other matches), and,
2. Clearance from stimulants.

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 2022.

The following titles shall be played at the 2023 National team Trials to be held on 25 March 2023:

• Counter-Strike: GO
• Dota 2
• eFootball
• Mobile Legends, Bang, Bang
• PUBG Mobile
• Tekken 7

The conditions for entry are as follows:

1. Entry is R100.00 per Registered Player.
2. Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.
3. Entries for National Team Trials must be submitted by midnight on 24 March 2023.
4. To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document.
5. The entry form may be found on Google Drive. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_ERR6815uVjSMu4t5KkRxYqGJ_AA88kkz31qRgksASc/edit#gid=287696184
6. Clubs are to download the entry form, completed the downloaded form, and e-mail it to Mind Sports South Africa at mindsportscorresspondence@gmail.com
7. Players making themselves eligible for selection, shall submit copies of their valid Passports with their other documentation to the National Team Manager upon meeting the above criteria for selection.
8. Players who have reached the age of majority may find the necessary forms on https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NHcMGH5G97JA-UbMejpH5AnYjZ4eRChV/edit
9. Players who have not yet reached the age of majority may find the necessary forms on https://docs.google.com/document/d/10OcmITrUHuNx298zZUdDoVuWvstJFyHa/edit

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).rs
• Copy of an Unabridged Birth Certificate for players under the age of 18
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

While Nationalor  team trials shall begin at 10H00 and end at 18H00, Registered Players shall be online at 9H00. MSSA officials will be on duty all day to assist with any queries you might have.

Registered Players who have qualified for C:ounter-Strike: GO (CSGO) are:

Name of player/team	Club
Ruan Luies	Hoërskool Klerksdorp
Anneke Luies Capt
Annerie Lourens
Christiaan Vorster
Daniel Erasmus
Leone Loftus (Captain)	Masters of Mind Sports
Joost Loftus
Leonard Loftus
Adriaan du Plessis
Dewald Greyling
Kennedy Cassells (captain)	Northcliff High School
Isabella Lawrence
Siann Richardson
Beverly Makhafola
Sadie Rennie

For further information, please contact MSSA at mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

Additional reading:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• Events: 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• Event: 2023 Gauteng Online Championships to be held on 11 March 2023.
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh2023
• IESF: IESF has announced the slots for 15th World Championships to be held  in Lasi, Romania.
• IESF: Titles entered
• IESF: National Team Trials - 25 March 2023
• Phygital Gaming: Kazan to host Phygital Games
• National Team Trials: Counter-Strike: GO - 25 March 2023
• National Team Trials: DotA 2 - 25 March 2023
• National Team Trials: eFootball - 25 March 2023
• National Team Trials: Mobile Legends Bang Bang - 25 March 2023
• Results: 2023 Northern Cape Online Championships
• Results: 2023 Western Cape Online Championships held on 25 February 2023.
• Results: 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• Results: 2023 Gauteng Online Championships held on 11 March 2023.
• Selection: Calling all female esports athletes.
• Selection: Passports are required.
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships
• Umpire Course - 18 February 2023
• Umpires course - 18 March 2023

Time is running out to qualify for National Team Trials - 25 March 2023

Paula van Vuuren of Team VYBN (ZAG Academy) has her sights firmly set on getting her team to IESF's 15th World Esports Championships. Team VYBN has aleready totally dominated the female division of the Counter-Strike: GO esports title at both Northern Cape and Western Cape Online Provincial Championships.

With Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) already having held its Northern Cape and Western Cape Online Championships, preparations are well on  their way in assembling Registered Players brave enough to officially represent South Africa as MSSA's 2023 Protea Esports Team at IESF's 15th World Esports Championships (WEC) shall be held in August in Lasi, Romania.

As of today, two events remain to be played at which Registered Players can still qualify to play at the National Team Trials to be held on 25 March 2023 whereat the 2023 Protea Esports Team shall be selected.

The two remaining events are:

• 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• 2023 Gauteng Online Championships to be held on 11 March 2023.

The esports titles offered by IESF at the 15th World Esports Championships, which MSSA has entered, are:

• Counter-Strike: GO (CSGO)
• Counter-Strike: GO (CSGO) - Female division
• DotA 2
• eFootball
• Mobile Legends, Bang Bang
• PUBGM
• Tekken 7

Only Registered Players who have qualified through MSSA's Regional, Provincial, and National Championship are eligible to participate in MSSA's National Team Trials, and must have a valid passport on the date of the National Team Trials.

Additional reading:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• Events: 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• Event: 2023 Gauteng Online Championships to be held on 11 March 2023.
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh
• IESF: Titles entered
• IESF: National Team Trials - 25 March 2023
• Phygital Gaming: Kazan to host Phygital Games
• Results: 2023 Northern Cape Online Championships
• Results: 2023 Western Cape Online Championships held on 25 February 2023.
• Selection: Calling all female esports athletes.
• Selection: Passports are required.
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships
• Umpire Course - 18 February 2023

2023 Gauteng Online Championships to be held on 11 March 2023.

Many Registered Players will take to the field in the Gauteng Online Championships to earn a place at MSSA's National Team Trials.

Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) annual Gauteng Esports Championships are well known for the ferocity of the competition and high standard of play.

MSSA's 2023 Gauteng Online Championships represent the last chance for many aspiring Protea Esports Team members to earn a berth in the coveted National Team Trials (NTT) to be held on 25 March 2023.

The tam selected at such National Team Trials shall represent South Africa as its official Protea Team at all qualifying events for IESF's 15th World Esports Championships to be held in Lasi, Romania, in August 2023.

In order to participate, players must be registered for the 2022/2023 season.

The championship shall be held on 11 March 2023.

Game titles to be played are:

Period/genre	Title	Platform	Age restriction	Players
Shooter	CODM	Mobile	18	4 v 4
	CS GO	PC	16	5 v 5
	PUBGM	Mobile	18	4 v 4
Sport	FIFA '23	PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play	12	1 v 1
	eFootball 2023 (Konami)	PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play	12	1 v 1
	Rocket League	PC and Console	12	1 v 1
	Rocket League	PC and Console	12	3 v 3
	Sim racing – Assetto Corsa Competizione	PC	12	1
MOBA	DotA 2	PC	12	5 v 5
	Clash Royale	Mobile	12	1 v 1
	League of Legends	PC	12	5 v 5
	Clash of Clans	Mobile	12	1 v1
	Mobile Legends Bang Bang	Mobile	12	5 v 5
Fighting	Tekken 7	PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play	16	1 v 1
	Street Fighter V	PS5, and all platforms compatible with PS5 for cross play	12	1 v 1
Card	HearthStone	Various	12	1 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 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 9 March 2023.
• 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/1_ERR6815uVjSMu4t5KkRxYqGJ_AA88kkz31qRgksASc/edit#gid=287696184
• 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:

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: 11 March 2023
• 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 Skype on the day of competition. Any communication not on the Skype channel shall not be entered into.

Ladder:

• All games shall count towards the National Ladder.

Shout casting:

• 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:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• Events: 12th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships - 4 March 2023
• Event: 2023 Gauteng Online Championships to be held on 11 March 2023.
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh
• IESF: Titles entered
• Phygital Gaming: Kazan to host Phygital Games
• Results: 2023 Northern Cape Online Championships
• Results: 2023 Western Cape Online Championships held on 25 February 2023.
• Selection: Calling all female esports athletes.
• Selection: Passports are required.
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships
• Umpire Course - 18 February 2023

What if the entire team cannot attend National Team Trials?

MSSA's 2013 Protea DotA 2 Esports Team

The schedule for National Team Trials is demanding.

However, what if the entire team cannot attend National Team Trials?

From-time-to-time not all the players in a team that qualifies for MSSA's National Team Trials are able to all attend such Trials.

What happens then, does that disqualify the others from participating for a place in the national esports team?

The answer is that it does not as it is not the team that qualifies, but the individuals whom the team that so qualify.

Thus in 2013 when teams from both Bravado (Bvd) and Energy eSports both qualified, but found that not all their players  could attend such Trials, the teams combined in order to make a 'super' team which comprised the best of both.

In a way, this placed the selection of the teams in the hands of the players themselves.

Instead of having crusty old administrators chopping up working teams the players found that they themselves could take the initiative in creating a working national team.

Needless to say MSSA's 2013 Protea DotA 2 Esports Team was one of the most successful teams ever fielded by MSSA. The team may have lost to Romania in an exciting online test match, but a couple of months later, convincingly beat Mexico.

Thus the answer to the question raised is that a team that enters National Team Trials may consist of players from more than one club. That is should the clubs to which the players are affiliated agree thereto.

Playing in international competition

CounterStrike: GO - Team eSports Romania with Team eSports South Africa

There seems to be a great deal of confusion in certain quarters about who may, and who is eligible, to play in overseas competition.

The short  answer is that any person may play in any private competition.

Thus any South African gamer may enter WESG, Dreamhack, ESWC, etc., as those competitions are privately owned and do not form part of the officially recognised circuit.

In fact it has always been part of MSSA's policy to encourage teams to enter such.

It should be noted that MSSA even helped Energy eSports attend the ESWC in 2014 by helping to obtain deferred exams for two members of the team so that they could attend such the event.

MSSA believes that until more teams experience international competition, the standard of gaming in South Africa will not improve.

Thus all clubs should take advantage of National Lottery Funding, as such funding allows for travel to such events.

However, it should be noted that a club team playing in an event in a foreign country does not mean that such team is representing South Africa.

Only a team officially selected by MSSA may claim to represent South Africa.

Only the team so selected may be awarded Protea Colours.

Any queries apropos the above may be directed to mindsportssa@iafrica.com

IeSF Ordinary General Meeting 2016 held in Jakarta

Mr Byung Hun Jun, President of IeSF

The Ordinary General Meeting of the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 8 October 2016 during the 8th e-Sports World Championships. The Meeting has been conducted in the presence of 30 Member Nations, IeSF Secretariat, and the Board Members of IeSF. One of the most important agenda items for the General Meeting this year was the election for the positions of President and Board Members. For the position of President, Mr Byung Hun Jun was re-elected as the president of the IeSF through general consensus. President Jun commented in the meeting that “2016 has been challenging, yet a meaningful year for the IeSF as we are closer than ever in receiving the recognition by the International Sports Societies. IeSF has successfully finishing the application for SportAccord and the IOC recognition this year in August. This work has only been possible through the hard work and dedication of all member nations to enhance the e-Sports industry worldwide”. In addition, President Jun proposed three tasks for e-Sports to progress further ahead in the upcoming year. He stressed the importance of developing the ‘e-Sports Agenda 2020’, which would act as a guidance for IeSF and National Federations (NF) to work together to unify and standardize e-Sports globally. He also highlighted the importance of developing an NF guideline to promote good governance, transparency, and formation of sustainable National Federation structures. He finished his comments by emphasizing protection of athlete’s welfare and rights, which will be promoted with the help of Athlete’s Commission. During this year’s Annual General Meeting, election of the board members was also conducted with 6 candidates to result in re-election of 5 board members being:

Meanwhile, at the 2016 Ordinary General Meeting, Macau, Italy, and Nepal were elevated to the full members of IeSF. Among the new full members, Nepal eSports Association (NESA) is a national federation, which has already been recognized by the Nepal Olympic Committee and gained official recognition as a sport from its government. The new members will be given the rights in decision making processes within the Annual General Meeting including a voice and one vote for each nation.