Mind Sports South Africa, Computer Games Board of Control

Exciting City of Cape Town eSports event

Written by Website Administrator
Friday, 21 January 2011 00:00
Dear Gamer The MSSA entered into talks in 2009 with the City of Cape Town in connection with providing the City with an eSports signature event to equal the stature of the Athletics and Cycling events already hosted by the City. At last, through lengthy deliberations and commitment on both sides, the date for the City of Cape Town eSports event has been set. The date for the event is 20 and 21 August 2011. The venue for the event shall be the Good Hope Centre. The event will be aimed at both Mass Participation as well as High Performance events. Mobile gaming, console gaming and PC gaming shall all be included in this spectacular event. As the details are finalised, gamers shall be notified accordingly. Issued by: Colin Webster President Mind Sports South Africa P O Box 19275 FISHER'S HILL 1408 Tel: 011 828 4994 Cell: 073 593 9451 Fax: 086 672 1911 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it URL: http://www.mindsportssa.freeservers.com/ URL: http://www.mssa-cgboc.org/ (eSports Gaming site) URL: http://www.facebook.com/mindsortssa Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee. The MSSA is responsible for the good governance and promotion of Board games (such as Backgammon, Diplomacy, Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, etc.), eSports (whether they are played on 'cell 'phones, consoles, personal computers or similar), and historical figure games (also known as wargames). The MSSA's headline sponsor is ASUS.

IeSF World Championships and selection of games

Written by Website Administrator
Monday, 10 January 2011 00:00
Sports South Africa has just been advised that the IeSF shall be holding its World Championships in October 2011. most gamers are already aware, the MSSA sent a team to represent South Africa in 2009 as well as in 2010. Both teams performed to their best against the world’s top players, and are instrumental in having helped raise the standard on gaming in South Africa. the championships were an eye-opener for the South African team members of whom most had never before played against such tough opponents. qualify for the 2011 trials is quite simple, all a gamer has to do is: Register with a club affiliated to the MSSA, and Participate in any Provincial LAN Championships and finish in the top three, or top twenty percent, whichever is greater. As all of the team members in 2010 admitted that membership was well worth the cost. But wait, there is more..... The IeSF has also given all member federations until the 10th of February 2011 to submit their choice of five (5) games for inclusion into the world championships. The MSSA therefore wants to hear from you. This is your chance to influence not only what happens in South Africa, but also in the rest of the World. You are therefore cordially invited to send in your choice of games, with full motivation as to why it should be played, to Mind Sports South Africa. You need only send your choice per e-mail to the MSSA, or lof your choice on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa Have a great year of gaming. Issued by: Colin Webster President Mind Sports South Africa P O Box 19275 FISHER'S HILL 1408 Tel: 011 828 4994 Cell: 073 593 9451 Fax: 086 672 1911 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it URL: http://www.mindsportssa.freeservers.com/ URL: http://www.mssa-cgboc.org/ (eSports Gaming site) URL: http://www.facebook.com/mindsortssa Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee. The MSSA is responsible for the good governance and promotion of Board games (such as Backgammon, Diplomacy, Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, etc.), eSports (whether they are played on 'cell 'phones, consoles, personal computers or similar), and historical figure games (also known as wargames). The MSSA's headline sponsor is ASUS.

Calendar of events

Written by Website Administrator

Monday, 27 December 2010 00:00

Dear Gamer

Please find below details of the MSSA’s Calendar of events for 2011.

However, when you read such calendar, you will note that the online championships still has to be included in such schedule. As soon as all the details have been agreed upon by the MSSA and the host, full details will be made available to all gamers.

Of course, international events have not been included in this calendar which only deals with provincial and national events.

Member clubs which intend to host their own events are requested to advise the MSSA as soon as possible of such events.

Date	Event
1 FEBRUARY – 25 MARCH	Inter school league
26 & 27 FEBRUARY	18TH NORTH WEST
26 & 27 MARCH	28TH GAUTENG
16 & 17 APRIL	3ND FREE STATE SCHOOLS*
16 & 17 APRIL	10TH GAUTENG SCHOOLS *
16 & 17 APRIL	10TH KWAZULU NATAL SCHOOLS *
16 & 17 APRIL	4th MPUMALANGA SCHOOLS *
16 & 17 APRIL	5TH WESTERN CAPE SCHOOLS *
28 & 29 MAY	11TH MPUMALANGA
25 & 26 JUNE	17TH WESTERN CAPE
9 & 10 JULY	20TH KWAZULU NATAL
30 & 31 JULY	14th S A SCHOOLS *
27 & 28 AUGUST	15TH EASTERN CAPE
24 & 25 SEPTEMBER	11TH FREE STATE
22 & 23 OCTOBER	6th LIMPOPO
10 & 11 DECEMBER	25th S A NATIONALS
11/12/10	29TH NATIONAL CONVENTION

Please remember that all schools events are free to registered learners.

Issued by:

Colin Webster
President
Mind Sports South Africa
P O Box 19275
FISHER'S HILL
1408
Tel: 011 828 4994
Cell: 073 593 9451
Fax: 086 672 1911
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
URL: http://www.mindsportssa.freeservers.com/
URL: http://www.mssa-cgboc.org/ (eSports Gaming site)
URL: http://www.facebook.com/mindsortssa

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee.

The MSSA is responsible for the good governance and promotion of Board games (such as Backgammon, Diplomacy, Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, etc.), eSports (whether they are played on 'cell 'phones, consoles, personal computers or similar), and historical figure games (also known as wargames).

The MSSA's headline sponsor is ASUS.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 23 January 2011 11:40 )

Management Board vacancies

Written by Website Administrator
Sunday, 02 January 2011 00:00
Dear Registered Player There are the following positions available on the Management Board: Vice-President (Events), Womens Desk, and Board Gaming Representative. To stand for such a position, you need to be a fully-paid-up Registered Player, submit your CV, have the club to which you are affiliated nominate you, and agree to abide by the rules that govern office-bearers. For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Colin Webster President Mind Sports South Africa P O Box 19275 FISHER'S HILL 1408 Tel: 011 828 4994 Cell: 073 593 9451 Fax: 086 672 1911 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it URL: http://www.mindsportssa.freeservers.com/ URL: http://www.mssa-cgboc.org/ (eSports Gaming site) URL: http://www.facebook.com/mindsortssa Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee. The MSSA is responsible for the good governance and promotion of Board games (such as Backgammon, Diplomacy, Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, etc.), eSports (whether they are played on 'cell 'phones, consoles, personal computers or similar), and historical figure games (also known as wargames).

Great strides forward

Written by Website Administrator
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 00:00
Introduction Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) made huge gains for gaming and gamers in South Africa in 2010. However, none of the strides made would have been possible without the committed support from gamers and sponsors alike. The sponsors who remained committed to growing eSports in 2011 are: ASUS, the Department of Sport and Recreation, LG, INCREDIBLE CONNECTION, MEGAROM, SAMSUNG, PLAYSTATION 3, and SASCOC. The recognition that the MSSA has earned means that all member clubs are able to: Have direct access to Local Government structures, and Apply for National Lottery Funding, and To participate in the ‘ownership’ and running of eSports in South Africa. As a result gamers are now able to: Earn the award of Protea Colours (the award given to all official sporting teams), and Earn colours issued by the MSSA, being National Colours, Provincial Colours, Student Provincial Colours, and School Provincial Colours To successfully apply for Sports bursaries at universities, and Ensure that their rights are protected. Challenges posed by the 2010 World Cup With South Africa being the host of the 2010 World Cup, all sports were advised by government not to hold any provincial, national or international events of their own at the same time so as not to dilute the interest in the Football. Of course, all the recognised sporting codes complied, and only an exception was made for the rugby test matches which were arranged well in advance. However, this did pose many problems for the MSSA as we had to change our calendar of events to accommodate this truly spectacular event. Only the Eastern Province ended up being a casualty with its Praovincial Championship being cancelled. So, even with the additional pressure, the MSSA was still able to hold five provincial LAN championships and its National LAN Championships as well as its Online Championships. All the Provincial and National Championships were sponsored by ASUS. It is through participation at the LAN and Online Championships that gamers can earn provincial and federation colours as well as earn a spot in the national team trials. It is at such National Team Trials that gamers can be selected to officially represent South Africa. International Participation By being part of the official structures any South African has to have National Federation and SASCOC approval to participate in any international event for any sport. Thus a great deal of work goes into getting a team across – as well as money! Being at the furthermost tip of Africa, it often seems to most South Africans to be miles away from everybody. It takes an eleven hour flight just to get to London, eight hours to Greece, and sixteen hours to South Korea. Even to get a team from Johannesburg often requires flying gamers from different parts of the country to meet and then depart. It can be quite a logistical nightmare – but it is worth it! Mind Sports South Africa participated in five international events in 2011 and were: LG MOBILE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – NEW YORK While many hard-line computer gamers may baulk at a texting competition being considered to be part of eSports, the MSSA remains committed to promoting Mobile Gaming as a Mass Participation event. There is no doubt that in Africa, Mobiles are the first contact that many people have with technology. It is also hoped that by winning the 'hearts and minds' of many of the young women who participate in this event, the culture of eSports will grow from year to year. It may well interest readers to note that of the over 50,000 participants that the MSSA had in the 2009 year, over 67% were women. Then South African Championships grew to a staggering 77,800 participants. Certainly this event has great prospects! The two women selected to represent South Africa at the World Championships held by LG in New York were Natalie Witoslawski (of Rustenburg) and Kgothatso Moerane (of Soweto). Both gamers enjoyed themselves tremendously and managed to finish in fifth place. HYUNDAI FIFA CHALLENGE – SOUTH KOREA Through the International eSports Federation (IeSF) the MSSA was invited to send a player across to South Korea to participate in the HYUNDAI FIFA Challenge. Of course, everyone was soccer mad in South Africa at that time! At first the MSSA considered running a competition with national television to find the best FIFA gamer in the country, but the idea could not be actualised due to the MSSA's own lack of resources. The MSSA thus agreed to send one of the gamers that it sent to the 2009 IeSF Grand Challenge – Xola Magwaza. Xola Magwaza proved to be a solid competitor in 2009, and therefore was considered a good choice. 2010 WORLD CYBER GAMES The WCG allowed the MSSA to come into its own. For a start, all the qualifiers from around the country were flown up to the National Team Trials courtesy of SAMSUNG, The National Team Trials were held in SANDTON CITY in Johannesburg. Thus gamers for GUITAR HERO™ from Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban, and Pietermaritzburg, were flown up to Johannesburg so that a truly representative trials could be held. It was a shock to many of the gamers who had never flown before, and who had never competed in such a prestigious venue and against other gamers who they had never met before. However, the event went smoothly and – well – simply rocked! Unfortunately, only one player could be sent, but the MSSA felt confident with its choice. Kevin Doran of Johannesburg demolished all of his opponents to earn his selection, and for his efforts was awarded Protea Colours. 2010 was the first time that a gamer has ever been awarded Protea Colours by the South African authorities for participating in the World Cyber Games. As a result of the government accreditation, national television attended the Colours Award Ceremony. All gamers country-wide were shocked and amazed to see Kevin Doran being featured on prime time television news on all three of the state's channels (SABC TV 1, SABC TV 2, SABC TV 3). The impact made by such coverage was truly phenomenal. All of a sudden, gaming was introduced into the majority of South African homes on three of the nine official languages. The MSSA also made yet another great stride with the team that was selected for the WCG. Michelle Marder had put in hours of work ensuring that the South African qualifiers were a success. In thanks, the MSSA selected Michelle as the manager of the team. Thus Michelle became the first women to be selected as a manager of a MSSA team and was awarded Protea Colours. 2010 IeSF GRAND CHALLENGE As usual the International eSports Federation (IeSF) showed its mettle and organised a fantastic 2010 Grand Final for WarCraft III and FIFA. The MSSA selected its team from eligible candidates and again applied for Protea Colours. Again the Protea Colours Board (made up of administrators from the South African Department of Sport and Recreation and SASCOC) approved the team selection and awarded Protea Colours to the team. Thus Matthew Putter, Rolando de Aveiro, Abu Bakar Ebrahim, and Magiel de Lange headed out to Daegu to do battle with the best in the world. 1st TEST MATCH BETWEEN NAMIBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA Thanks to the the efforts of the Namibian organisers, the MSSA was able to participate in an official test match between the two countries. The test match was done in two games, being COD 4 and FIFA 10. The MSSA called up the services of Abu Bakar Ebrahim and Rolando de Aveiro to represent South Africa in FIFA. For COD 4, the MSSA held trials and selected a team. The team selected for COD 4 was (from left to right) Jo-Ash Rajcoomer, Daniel Grundlingh, Steven Szucs, Peter Myburgh and Nialle Momsen. The event held in Namibia was a huge success with Brendan Ihmig and Kai Eysselein did everything they could to make the event as professional and enjoyable as possible. It has been agreed that there will be many more such events that will happen between both countries in the future. IN CONCLUSION: The accreditation by SASCOC of eSports has elevated all the different aspects of eSports to be on a par with any other sport. Already, as a result of such a highly successful year, the MSSA is being included in: Talks to start a signature event, and SASCOC's TV sport channel. Thus there is great enthusiasm for the coming year, with the entire MSSA committee and all member clubs being quite upbeat about the 2011 season. Issued by: Colin Webster President Mind Sports South Africa P O Box 19275 FISHER'S HILL 1408 Tel: 011 828 4994 Cell: 073 593 9451 Fax: 086 672 1911 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it URL: http://www.mindsportssa.freeservers.com/ URL: http://www.mssa-cgboc.org/ (eSports Gaming site) URL: http://www.facebook.com/mindsortssa Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee. The MSSA is responsible for the good governance and promotion of Board games (such as Backgammon, Diplomacy, Checkers, Draughts, Morabaraba, etc.), eSports (whether they are played on 'cell 'phones, consoles, personal computers or similar), and historical figure games (also known as wargames). The MSSA's headline sponsor is ASUS.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 23 January 2011 11:35 )