Reminder: Elections for a new Athletes' Representative

 

Amanda Pakade (left) was MSSA's first Athletes' Representative, and Amoné Bekker (right) was MSSA's most recent.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) was way ahead of the curve when it created its Athletes' Representative position to sit on the Board way back in 2005.

The person who holds this position has to represent the aims, wishes, and desires of the gamers in order to ensure that the players are not overlooked in the decision-making process. Such Player Representative, must therefore owe greater loyalty to the players than to any club affiliation.

Those who have held, and excelled in such office are:

• Amoné Bekker (Valhalla)
• Jason Batzofin (Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club)
• Jonathan Newman (Maritzburg Griffins)
• Amanda Pakade (nee Kwaza) (University of Johannesburg)

Amanda went on to become MSSA President, and Jason Batzofin, went on to become Chairperson of International Esports Federation's Players' Committee.

The position can thus be seen as a stepping stone to greater things.

It is the athletes that participate in MSSA's 2020 SA National Championships that elect the representative. 

The criteria to stand for the position of Athletes' Representative are:

• The Player's Representative shall have Protea Colours, and
• The Player's Representative shall have represented South Africa in an International Competition, and
• The Player's Representative shall not be over 30 years of age at the time of such election.

MSSA therefore requests all those interested in standing for such position to please submit a nomination to mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com by 8H00 on 5 December 2020.

Also read:

• MSSA elections allow change and growth.
• MSSA remains a dynamic institution.
• Preventing dominance by any one club.
• Advantages of affiliation
• Calendar of  Events: 2020
• Upcoming events: South African National Board Games Championships - 12 December 2020.
• Upcoming events: South African National Online Championships
• Upcoming events: South African National Wargames Championships - 5 & 6 December 2020.
• Affiliation: Schools
• Affiliation: Private clubs
• Esports titles selected: MSSA's School Championships.
• Esports titles selected: MSSA's Premier Championships.
• Results of MSSA's 10th Annual Online Championships for High Schools
• Results of MSSA's Western Cape Online Provincial Championships.
• Results: MSSA's 11th Provincial Online Championships
• Results: Gauteng Online Provincial Championships.
• Test Match results: South African Protea DotA 2 team rises triumphant.
• Test Match results: DOTA2: South Africa vs Azerbaijan
• New National Team Selection Criteria
• Selecting the national Protea teams for Mind Sports South Africa.

A presidential clash.

Vlad Marinescu (left) is  contesting IESF's presidency against His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE).

International Esports Federation's Boards from 2013 laid solid foundations upon which the IESF could grow and prosper. Over the years, especially while South African, Colin Webster, was president, special attention was applied to good governance, gender equity and increasing IESF's visibility on a global scale.

It was from 2013 that IESF ensured that it had created the correct policies and  procedures to enter, and be accepted into, the world of international sport.

With the position of IESF's presidency now being open, two formidable candidates are vying for the top spot.

Both candidates currently serve on IESF's Board and have both made invaluable contributions to IESF. The candidates are none other than Vlad Marinescu (USA) and His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan (UAE). Vlad Marinescu made his debut into IESF in 2019 when he was co-opted onto the Board. The Board recognizing his abilities, voted him into the vacant position of Vice-President. Vlad's enthusiasm is infectious and through his efforts, great efforts have been made to increase IESF's membership. His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan's dedication and commitment to esports has been truly spectacular. Being a driving force in the UAE, as well as a past president of AESF, and as a Board member of IESF, His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahayan has always been the voice of reason. The elections will take place on 21 December 2020 and, there is no doubt, that whomever is elected, IESF, and the entire esports community,i stands to be a winner. Also read:

• Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan returned as President of Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AeSF)
• IESF ELECTS IN TRULY GLOBAL ESPORTS BOARD
• IN IESF’S BEST INTERESTS...
• IESF SIGNS AN OFFICIAL MOU WITH AESF
• MARINESCU RE-ELECTED AS VICE-PRESIDENT
• The eagle has landed.
• 120 Officials from e-Sports and Sports Industries to Attend Global e-Sports Executive Summit Shanghai 2016

So who are really the community leaders?

Decisions being made.

Over the past number of months and years, the general population has witnessed a number of polls and elections. Some have caused outrage by those whose views/candidates did not win. Others have been accepted with quietness and calmness that befits a true democracy.

That is in fact the hallmark of a democracy. You do not always get what you want, but you have to accept the outcome and ensure that there is a peaceful transition of power. Any contestation of results must be done legally and in the proper manner.

Those that take to the streets in violent protest have no real interest in democracy or the rule of law.

Such people often chant that they are the community leaders, but no-one has voted them in, nor do they feel that they are accountable to anyone.

So it is with gaming in South Africa as many individuals protest long and loud that they are community leaders.

However, no-one has voted them in, nor do they feel the need to be accountable.

Instead such 'community leaders' behave as if they were demagogues who demand that others comply with their demands and criticize those that refuse to do so.

Woe betide those who dare to do things differently as such will 'troll' any other opinion, and in my opinion, in a malicious manner, much reminiscent of the 'playground bully'. Yet when confronted for their actions, such individuals are quick to play the victim.

That is the undeniable strength of MSSA, every person on every committee can only be there if due process is followed. Such office -bearers are either there because they have been voted in, or in the case of a vacancy - co-opted.

At elections, it is the majority vote that holds sway.

Thus, those who continually complain are either those who are the disaffected minority who want to enforce their views on the majority, or those who refuse to take part in a democratic process for whatever reason.

MSSA, remains committed with its open-door policy.

MSSA does not bear any grudges against anyone and any club, as long as it meets the constitutional requirements, may affiliate.

Democracy rules in MSSA!

Flourishing into the future...

Gamers in competition.

With MSSA's election having been concluded on 4 December 2016, there are a number of new faces on the committee.

While many gamers do not really care about who is on the committee, all gamers should be aware that it is these volunteers that make things happen.

Yes, they are all volunteers. The MSSA office-bearers are not rewarded financially, and do it out of a sense of dedication and passion to see others do well.

That is the strength of Mind Sport South Africa.

The fact that there are so many people willing to work for free, and to put others before themselves, shows  that not only is volunteerism in South Africa alive and well, but that MSSA will grow and flourish in the years to come.

Some volunteers are only around for a short time, while others are around for a little longer.

All are valued!

Time to get your nominations in - deadline 1 November 2016

The positions available at the 2016 Annual General Meeting may be found on http://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.za/2016/03/quite-few-posts-up-for-election-at.html

As you will  no doubt notice, MSSA has publicised the positions since March 2016 so that everybody is aware of such.
Any full-paid-up Registered Player is able to stand for any position as long as a member club nominates such player,  and another member club seconds such nomination.

There is no doubt that the 2016 MSSA Annual General Meeting to be held on 4 December 2016 will be an exciting affair.

Not only will there be some important proposed changes to the Constitution apropos ensuring gender equity, but a number of the positions on the Management Board will be up for grabs.

The positions up for  election are:

1. President
2. 1st  Vice-President (in charge  of development)
3. 2nd vice-president (in charge of umpiring)
4. Board gaming representative
5. Card gaming representative
6. eSports representative
7. National Schools Director
8. Women's desk
9. Legal adviser
10. Representative for gamers who are differently abled
11. General Secretary

Positions not eligible for election in 2016 are:

1. 3rd Vice President (in charge of events)
2. Figure gaming representative
3. Player's representative

Thus the 2016 elections will be more than interesting.
Positions for all Regional and provincial Directors also become available.

It should be noted that no person may be elected into more than one position.

Never before have so many positions become available at the same time.

There is no doubt that the committee has worked well over  the past number of years, and it will indeed be interesting to again see democracy at work.

As it can be  seen from the above, MSSA does not hold truck with 'succession plans', but instead trusts entirely on its membership applying its mind and electing the right people to further promote gaming in South Africa.

Who will go, and who will stay, that is indeed the question.