Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Nominations are needed for 2025 AGM.

Colin Webster (President of Mind Sports South Africa) openly encourages younger Registered Players to stand for positions)

Mind Sports South Africa's elections are fast approaching. MSSA is the only South African national federation that allows an athlete to be elected onto its Board as well as allowing a fast, and direct, path for administrators while cutting out 'dead-men's shoes'.

All elections are done on a staggered basis. The system of doing the elections on a staggered basis allows MSSA to have a greater degree of stability as the entire Management Board is not able to be elected at any one time which preserves MSSA's continuity and knowledge base.

An interesting aspect of the 2025 Annual General Meeting is that there are 5 positions that are available for election on the Executive and Management Board. Where positions are vacant, the newly elected Board will co-opt Registered Players to the position. A co-opted Registered Player only serves out one year in the position in which he/she is co-opted and resigns prior to the General Meeting.

As everyone already knows, the MSSA is a democratic organisation, where only decisions of the committee that are enforced, and never the will of any one individual.

All athletes are reminded that only affiliated clubs may nominate players who are registered and fully-paid-up for positions on any of the committee.
  • A member club nominates the Registered Player on the prescribed form, and
  • The Nomination Form has been submitted to MSSA on or before 21 November 2025, and
  • The Registered Player is fully-paid-up for the 2025/2026 year as at the date of nomination, and
  • The club nominating the Registered Player has paid its affiliation fees for the 2025/2026 season on or before 21 November 2026.
However it should be noted that only persons who meet the following criteria may be elected on to the Management Board:
  1. Have served a full term on the Management Board, or
  2. Have served a full term as Provincial Director, or
  3. Have served two full terms as Regional Director, or
  4. Have served two full terms on a Board of Control, or
  5. Have earned at least ten (10) Protea caps, or
  6. Have served three years on the club committee of which they are currently a member.
  7. Be resident in South Africa for at least 186 days of the Calendar Year. Should such terms of residency not be met, such Elected Member shall be automatically removed and such position be declared vacant, and
  8. Only persons who have completed a full term on the Management Board may stand for the position of President.
The positions up for election are (3 year terms):
  1. Two Executive Officers
  2. Women's Desk
  3. Board Gaming Representative
  4. Legal Advisor
  5. National School's Director (This position must be held by an Educator)
The following Provincial Directorships are also available (2 year terms):
  1. Eastern Cape
  2. Gauteng
  3. KwaZulu Natal
  4. Limpopo
  5. Mpumalanga
  6. Northern Cape
  7. North West
  8. Western Cape
All the following 56 Regional Directorships are also available for election (1 year term).

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.

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Tuesday, 22 July 2025

National Winter Games - 14 July 2025

A jubilant Western Cape Team.

The National Winter Games ended on 14 July 2025 in Durban at 7pm. The Western Cape stormed the Bastille of KZN with impressive performances across all the codes of netball, rugby, and football.

Camaraderie could be seen as the various codes supported each other and the boys and girls also supported each other's matches. The scholars came from across the Western Cape with a strong rural presence.

Western Cape Sport and Recreation are all proud of our teams as they showed sportsmanship, excellent discipline and strong technical and tactical awareness. The entire Western Cape Sport and Recreation fraternity can be proud of these teams. They showcased our talent and ensured that the name of the Western Cape will remain high in sport in South Africa. The provinces were all highly competitive and Western Cape Sport and Recreation was so happy to see this because it means that national standards have also been elevated.

The Winter Games were an excellent example of what can be achieved when the country works together with a common goal to develop sporting talent across the country. 

Western Cape Sport and Recreation won the Province for the best administration and ended number one as the best performing Province having won three golds in Boys and Girls rugby and Deaf Netball. Dr Lyndon Boauh was very proud of both the organizing team and the teams on the field. Thank you to all the athletes, managers, coaches, officials, parents and athletes!

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Monday, 2 December 2024

There is still time to register for an echess tourney with a total prize pool of $60,000 USD



Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence: Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club Presents The Echess Championship - The Road to Al Ain, Powered by Checkmate Live

Al Ain, UAE, [Date] – Marking its 25th anniversary, the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club proudly announces The Echess Championship: The Road to Al Ain, powered by Checkmate Live. This landmark tournament invites online chess enthusiasts and competitors worldwide to participate. Open to players of all levels, both rated and unrated, the championship includes regional qualifiers across multiple skill levels. The competition will reach its pinnacle in the prestigious Grand Final held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, on December 22, 2024.

About the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club

Founded in 1999 and led by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan—President of the Asian Chess Federation and the Emirati Esports Federation—the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club has become a cornerstone of international chess, renowned for its achievements and contributions to the global chess community. Recognized for its commitment to excellence and competitive integrity, the club has fostered a vibrant chess culture in the UAE and beyond, culminating in notable victories, including winning the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Team Championship. This legacy underscores the club's standing as a leading institution in international chess and highlights its dedication to advancing the game on a global scale.

As the club marks its 25th anniversary, it invites partners and players from around the world to join in an epic celebration alongside the Asian Amateur Chess Championship 2024. This celebration will be highlighted by an epic echess knockout tournament on Checkmate Live’s platform, styled after the high-energy, immersive format of esports competitions. The live final in Al Ain, UAE, on December 22, 2024, will showcase top talent in a dramatic showdown. The Grand Final will be held at the official venue, Danat Al Ain Resort. The club’s strategic partnership with Checkmate Live, a next-gen online broadcast and tournament platform, reinforces its vision for the future and underscores its dedication to advancing competitive chess and mind sports on a global scale.

The Road to Al Ain: A Global Chess Journey

The Road to Al Ain invites players from across the globe to participate in a series of online qualifiers beginning on November 23, 2024, with skill-level divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and Open categories. Open to both rated and unrated players, these qualifiers will lead to the four Regional Finals, scheduled for December 7-8, 2024. Top contenders will advance to the Grand Final on December 22, 2024, in Al Ain.

Key tournament highlights include:

Global Inclusion: Open to both rated and unrated players, with divisions for Under 2000, Under 2300, and Open categories.

Redemption Games: Players who do not qualify in their designated Elo division will have multiple opportunities to participate. If a player doesn’t qualify in their first attempt, they can enter additional qualifiers within their division or compete in higher Elo categories, creating thrilling opportunities for unexpected victories and upsets as competitors from all levels strive to advance.

Bonus Rewards: Special prizes and rewards for female players, newcomers, and sportsmanship honorees.

Continental Representation: Regional qualifiers hosted across four major time zones, each with four qualifiers per Elo division:

AO: Asia and Oceania

EAS: Europe and Southern Africa

MENTA: Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey

AM: Americas

Generous Prizes: A total prize pool of $60,000 USD, including $35,000 in distributed prizes (USDC and in-game currency) throughout the tournament stages from Checkmate Live, with an additional $25,000 USD for the four-player Double Elimination Grand Final in Al Ain.

Travel costs covered: Al Ain CMG  is providing flights, five-star accommodation, and meals in Al Ain for all Grand Final participants.

Flexible Timing: Qualifiers are scheduled based on each player’s registered country to accommodate various time zones, ensuring global participation at convenient times.

Travel and Accommodation: Finalists advancing to Al Ain will receive complimentary flights and accommodations, with the tournament's Grand Final hosted at the luxurious Danat Al Ain Resort.

Tournament Schedule and Structure

Key Dates

Weekend Qualifiers: November 23-24 and November 30 - December 1, 2024

Regional Finals: December 7-8, 2024 (four regional finals across major time zones)

The Road to Al Ain Grand Final: December 22, 2024, Danat Al Ain Resort, Al Ain

Stage 1 - Online Qualifiers

The Online Qualifiers will consist of a 3+2 Blitz Swiss-format tournament (9 rounds) designed to advance top players from each division to the Regional Finals. The structure is as follows:

Under 2000 Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top four players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.

Under 2300 Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top four players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.

Open Division: Four qualification tournaments will be held, with the top eight players from each tournament advancing to the Regional Finals.

Stage 2 - Four Regional Finals

Each zone—AO (Asia and Oceania), EAS (Europe and Southern Africa), MENTA (Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey), and AM (Americas)—will host a 3+2 Blitz single-elimination head-to-head KO tournament. In each zone, a total of 64 players (16 from the Under 2000, 16 from the Under 2300, and 32 from the Open division) will compete, with the top player from each region ultimately advancing to the Grand Final.

Each matchup will consist of two games. In the event of a tie, an Armageddon game will determine the winner, ensuring a decisive outcome for each head-to-head encounter.

Stage 3 - Grand Final

The four regional champions will compete in a Double Elimination Knockout format to crown the tournament champion in Al Ain. These finalists will battle head-to-head for the title and a share of the additional $25,000 USD prize pool.

Grand Final Details

The Grand Final on December 22 will showcase a fast-paced double-elimination showdown among the four regional champions at the Danat Al Ain Resort. Participants will contend for significant cash prizes while experiencing the cultural richness of Al Ain, one of the UAE’s oldest and most cherished cities.

Registration Details

Registration opens on November 15, 2024. Players interested in competing can register at Checkmate.live. Don’t miss the chance to join this landmark event and experience the thrill of high-stakes competitive chess.

An Invitation to Chess Enthusiasts Everywhere

"The Road to Al Ain" is a celebration of unity, excellence, and global camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned grandmaster or a passionate amateur, this tournament offers a unique opportunity to be part of a legacy event. Registration is now open, and we invite all chess enthusiasts to embark on this journey to the Super Grand Final in Al Ain.

The Road to Al Ain: Your Destination for Competitive Chess Awaits!

Website: https://www.checkmate.live

Tournament information: https://www.checkmate.live/insights-and-updates

Ruleset: https://playbook.checkmate.live/echess-rulesets/the-road-to-al-ain

Contact:

Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club

Hesham Ali Al Taher

CEO, Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club

Secretary General of the Asian Chess Federation

asianchessfederation@yahoo.com


David Jenns MA LLM FRGS

Director International Relations

+971506180752

david@whitewolfconsultancy.com

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