Home Gaming The annual MSSA vs. South African community battle is under way

The annual MSSA vs. South African community battle is under way

4 min read
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Every single year the MSSA announce their new national teams, and every single year there is chaos over the teams selected. This year the drama unfolded on the CS:GO South Africa Facebook group as Ashton “Golz” Muller, a player in one of South Africa’s top teams, pointed out the new team captain may not necessarily deserve his national colours.

It’s true, a lot of the people who play for the national side are far from deserving of being called Team South Africa, but the fact is those that do deserve it, don’t really care about it. This means that a lot of teams and players who fall short of any real results in South African eSports choose to play in the numerous MSSA Qualifiers and then receive the call to represent our country. The argument is always the same: “You did not enter the qualifiers, therefore you have no reason to be upset, blah, blah etc.”

The fact is, and I stand by this, the South African community has every right to be upset. The body who governs these selection processes have very little knowledge of how the industry actually works. I don’t doubt their dedication, and really anyone dedicated to eSports usually deserves some recognition, but the undeniable aura of controversy which surrounds the MSSA is something we cannot get behind.

In the past, top teams have tried to aid the MSSA. In 2013 the MSSA fielded a Dota 2 team which consisted of some of the best players in the country. They were the national side, and we gave them their shot. The Dota 2 team’s run as the South African national squad ended as most things do in the MSSA, with lawsuits. Contractual disputes, transparency and regulations are any eSports team’s worst nightmare, and an organization which limits your participation in other tournaments is something we cannot abide by.

13406960_947292915390390_4617936606751732525_n
Team Qube, current South African CS:GO National Team

The debate which sparked this year’s annual brouhaha was over the current team South Africa’s CS:GO captain, Jessie Joubert. While Jessie is perhaps a talented CS:GO player, community members immediately pointed out that he has achieved nothing other than his  MSSA colours, awarded to him for winning the qualifying competitions. The argument is not whether this team were the best at the qualifiers, but rather their overall standings in the ever competitive CS:GO scene.

 

A few years ago another competitor said they’d taken part for the free trip, and really, I don’t blame them. Travelling to a country, all expenses paid, and getting to play games is great. Why not abuse a horribly flawed system where the competition is close to none.

But the underlying question here, amidst all the drama, is are the MSSA eligible to hand out South African colours?

The Facts

According to recent information we’ve received, MSSA is currently suspended from SASOC. This means that at the moment they are not recognized by SASCOC, the controlling body of all performance sports of South Africa. According to the National Sports and Recreation Act 110 of 1998, an act often quoted by members of the MSSA, leaves room for debate.

National colours and incentives for sports achievers and recreation practitioners

11. ( 1) The Sports Commission must establish a national colours board which will consider all applications for the awarding of national colours.

(2) The national colours must be awarded in accordance with the applicable regulations.

(3) The Sports Commission may, from time to time, provide incentives for sports achievers and recreation practitioners.

Some members will argue that the MSSA are still part of SASCOC, but there is no evidence other than a cached link to a webpage that no longer exists in the SASCOC members list. We’ve reached out to SASCOC and other regulatory bodies for a comment on the matter.

This next clause in the Act I find extremely interesting. In laymen’s, essentially anyone can create an organization, become recognized by SASCOC and hand out colours.

Membership of Sports Commission

5. (1) Membership of the Sports Commission will be open to all those sport and recreation bodies who qualify in terms of the recognition criteria determined by the Sports Commission.

(2) No membership shall be granted to a sports and recreation federation which permits or tolerates a system or practice of discrimination based on gender, race, disability, religion or creed.

The continued support for the MSSA is troubling to say the least. It has been almost two years since we heard from the president of the organization. Instead we’ve had to deal with mislead information and blogs written by a pseudonym of certain members of the organization. eSports at a school, university, and national level are still heavily controlled by the MSSA, and nobody is brave enough, or has succeeded in pushing them out. A number have tried. Perhaps a concrete response from SASCOC will either condemn the MSSA, or prove us all wrong. For now, let’s just stay angry and argue on Facebook.

 

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Last Updated: July 4, 2016

118 Comments

  1. Kromas GG

    July 4, 2016 at 10:36

    Carefull there. We don’t want lags to take hits for accurate reporting again.

    Then again I am not affiliated with you guys sooooo….

    #FuckMSSA

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      July 4, 2016 at 10:51

      We need new tshirts anyway 😛

      Reply

      • Captain JJ off track

        July 4, 2016 at 10:52

        😀

        I think it’s time, yes.

        Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        July 4, 2016 at 10:53

        Surely you mean tents?!

        Reply

        • Captain JJ off track

          July 4, 2016 at 10:54

          In time for December holiday hopefully 😛

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

          July 4, 2016 at 10:55

          Ssssssshhh do you want them to charge us the price for shirts or tents?

          Reply

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 10:56

            Was the price charged last time not for tents O_o

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 10:57

            It was a price I paid willingly 😀

        • RinceThis

          July 4, 2016 at 21:01

          Damn you!

          Reply

      • Kromas GG

        July 4, 2016 at 11:18

        And Coffee mugs and beanies. Also they need to sell branded waifu pillows 😛

        Reply

        • Captain JJ off track

          July 4, 2016 at 11:19

          Oh, I can do with a Lagz mug.

          Reply

          • Kromas GG

            July 4, 2016 at 11:24

            And a waifu pillow of Darryn! I know you want one!

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:26

            The world isn’t ready!

          • Matthew Holliday

            July 4, 2016 at 11:38

            Geoff would make for a great waifu pillow

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:41

            Racist! 😀
            Also, isn’t it spelled woeful? 😛

          • Matthew Holliday

            July 4, 2016 at 12:22

            No, thats just how it makes you feel :'<

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 12:22

            lol

          • Kromas GG

            July 4, 2016 at 11:51

            Shut up and take my money!

          • RinceThis

            July 4, 2016 at 21:01

            Mattress*

          • RinceThis

            July 4, 2016 at 21:01

            They promised us those a while ago… Where are they?!

      • RinceThis

        July 4, 2016 at 21:01

        *tents

        Reply

  2. Pariah

    July 4, 2016 at 10:38

    Will you give the MSSA a review score if SASCOC asks for one?

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      July 4, 2016 at 10:39

      oh god I love this

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      July 4, 2016 at 10:50

      WIN!

      Reply

    • Allykhat

      July 4, 2016 at 11:27

      HAHAHAHA!

      Classic!

      Reply

    • Sageville

      July 4, 2016 at 14:25

      Yeah, that’s pretty on point! lulz!

      Reply

  3. David

    July 4, 2016 at 10:40

    The MSSA sucks, but anyone who thinks the best of the best ‘want’ to play for their country hasn’t seen how much an Argentinian striker makes at a British Football Club level.

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      July 4, 2016 at 10:41

      top sports players usually want to represent their company.. it’s not about the money. It’s about pride

      Reply

      • David

        July 4, 2016 at 10:46

        I’m sure you’re absolutely right about ALL of them and money is no object and omg, unicorns everywhere.

        The catch 22 here is, with the MSSA handing out colours, everyone knows it means shit. If a more respectable place were handing out colours, it might mean more.

        Reply

        • Gavin Mannion

          July 4, 2016 at 10:49

          no man I said playing for your country isn’;t about money… not that they are professionals for pride…

          The catch here could be that they can’t hand out colours and are just pretending they can.. really wish that could be cleared up by SASCOC

          Reply

          • David

            July 4, 2016 at 10:53

            And I said the best of the ‘best’ can be easily tempted by huge pay cheques in the Premier League and not want to play for their country, but apparently I was wrong… and it’s usually about pride.

            Why’d you have to be so pedantic over an opinion…?

          • Gavin Mannion

            July 4, 2016 at 10:53

            lol what? I was just discussing it..

            I don’t think the best sports players don’t play for their country. I think your opinion is wrong.. but there’s not much more to it.

          • David

            July 4, 2016 at 10:55

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 10:57

            Well yeah, that’s because it’s called football not soccer 😛

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 10:58

            Yes, but like esports, soccer isn’t really a sport, is it? 😛

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 10:59

            Boooooooooooo!!!!!!

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 11:00

            Oh crap, so if football and Esports isn’t a sport, what does that say about Fifa games? 😛

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 11:01

            BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:01

            *soccer

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            July 4, 2016 at 11:02

            A Socball discussion?

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:03

            Haha. I find it really funny that people make a deal about calling it soccer or football. That’s like saying you’re not allowed to call it a “bakkie” you HAVE to call it a pick-up.

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            July 4, 2016 at 11:07

            Why would anyone drive around in something you dish out porridge in, also pick-up what?It’s like calling a boxing glove a “Moer”, “Haaff you put on your Moers yet? Dis ffaat is going to get raff”

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:08

            Haha. I’m just saying. It’s part of the South African dialect. There’s no right and wrong when it comes to dialect.

          • Pariah

            July 4, 2016 at 11:08

            Technically there is. We don’t call them pickup trucks here in SA, we call them Bakkies.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:09

            Wait, this proves my point, why are you disagreeing?

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:11

            Oh, I see. What I meant is you can’t say someone is saying it incorrectly if they’re from the US and their dialect is different.

          • HvR

            July 4, 2016 at 11:14

            Nope, the US lost all right to the defend the use of their unique dialect when they decided the l in solder is silent.

            Sodder WTF???

          • Pariah

            July 4, 2016 at 11:15

            *Solder me is bad for you

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:15

            Hehehe. And when they say URBS for Herbs.

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            July 4, 2016 at 11:16

            What is a “Yual”?

          • Pariah

            July 4, 2016 at 11:17

            Gas for Petrol. Jelly for Jam. Jello for Jelly. Pickup truck for Bakkie. The list goes on.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:18

            But seriously though. They have got to start using the metric system. It’s like living in the dark ages.

          • HvR

            July 4, 2016 at 11:19

            Actually they have jam.

            Jelly is made of fruit juice and jam like here is made of fruit

          • Pariah

            July 4, 2016 at 11:21

            Jelly donuts. Peanut butter and Jelly. Their jam is jelly.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:22

            Must be jelly cause jam don’t shake like dat? 😛

          • Pariah

            July 4, 2016 at 11:23

            *leaves*

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:23

            XD

          • Pariah

            July 4, 2016 at 11:11

            “There’s no right and wrong” – there is. It’s wrong to call it a pickup here in SA. And it’s wrong to call it a bakkie in the USA.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:12

            Yes, like I said below. It’s not wrong if you call it a bakkie and it’s not wrong if you call it a pick-up. Same goes for soccer and football. It just depends on the dialect.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:13

            Except for using the imperial system, in that regard the US is WRONG 😛

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            July 4, 2016 at 11:08

            Exactly!

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 11:03

            I’m not socking her. I don’t hit women

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 11:00

            Not if you take penalty kicks like Simone Zaza
            http://i.imgur.com/a9dkzKi.gif

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:01

            *googles Simone Zaza*
            Ah, soccer player. Who knew? 😛

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 11:03

            Poor guy is being trolled so hard for his penalty miss

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 11:04

            He was brought on in the last minute by Italy in the place of a defender as he was one of their penalty takers… Then he proceeded to kick like a rugby player and it went of the bar.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:05

            Ah. The past five years I have watched exactly zero soccer matches. But that gif is kak funny and I am now googling to see the actual shot. 😀

          • The Order of the Banana

            July 4, 2016 at 14:42

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 15:04

            XD

          • RinceThis

            July 4, 2016 at 21:03

            Ohhh! WIN!

          • Sageville

            July 4, 2016 at 14:30

            Son, do you want to take a football to the knee or something?

          • RinceThis

            July 4, 2016 at 21:03

            lol

          • Gavin Mannion

            July 4, 2016 at 11:05

            but that has nothing to do with your point… at all? This link is people who choose to represent a different nation than the one I was born in..

            They may identify with that other nation, like I was born in the UK but would represent SA in a heart beat… some people also swap because they think they have more chance of making the team in the new country, or the other country has more chance of winning.

            None of it has to do with money…

            BUT ANYWAY… nothing to do with this article 😀

          • David

            July 4, 2016 at 11:06

            Did you read how many Brazilian players emigrate to the countries their clubs are in because it’s $$$$$$$$$$

            EDIT: and the point I was making was if the MSSA gives you colours and then says you can’t enter competitions not sanctioned by them, who’d WANT those colours. It’s like your country holding you hostage from playing for clubs where the $$$ are at.

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:06

            Agreed.
            Wait, what?

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 11:00

            You hit a nerve!
            Dammit Gavin how many times do we have to explain this: You are never to correct or engage with anyone who has a differing opinion to yours on the internet. It makes you wrong, even if you want to just discuss your differing opinion.
            Hahahaha

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 11:01

            But, that makes you wrong then?

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 11:02

            Oh but I am more than happy to be wrong. *refresh

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            July 4, 2016 at 11:04

            XD

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 11:02

            This is the internet, everyone is right.

          • Matthew Holliday

            July 4, 2016 at 11:23

            “Nothing is true, everything is permitted”

          • David

            July 4, 2016 at 11:05

            Hey Jonah, there’s an engaging way to share your opinion (i.e, this is what I think) and then there’s a no-grey area (i.e you’re wrong, I’m right) way.

            I’m calling out the latter – there are ABSOLUTELY top football players, that flipping HATE playing for their country because it takes them away from their club games. And if you can prove that this happens ZERO times, I’ll retract my opinion and never share it again.

          • Gavin Mannion

            July 4, 2016 at 11:06

            there are always the exceptions.. I said usually.. I didn’t say NEVER or ALWAYS 🙂

          • David

            July 4, 2016 at 11:12

            Then there’s enough margin for me to have a simple, harmless (admittedly cynical) opinion about something on the internet that frustrates without the “unicorns, and puppies and all players just want to love their country and bring world peace” BS.

            And if I seem highly strung, imagine for a moment what it takes to care enough about a cynical opinion in a comment section to challenge it. Some people are just triggered man.

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 11:14

            Good on you for admitting you are a bit high strung. Important first step…
            *disclaimer: I am pulling your leg again
            (See I learn new things every day)

          • Jonah Cash

            July 4, 2016 at 11:07

            Hahaha. I am just pulling your leg, but you are bit high strung so I should have just said that as a disclaimer. I am happy with your opinion being yours and that is really at that matters to me.

      • Matthew Holliday

        July 4, 2016 at 11:26

        “Pride” is relevant in terms of this article.
        Theres not much to be proud about in terms of the MSSA

        Reply

        • Pariah

          July 4, 2016 at 11:26

          Leaving those who want to play for their country – for pride – out in the cold, fighting.

          Reply

          • Matthew Holliday

            July 4, 2016 at 11:27

            A sad state of affairs indeed.

  4. Captain JJ off track

    July 4, 2016 at 10:40

    The MSSA doesn’t know the difference between a mouse and a keyboard.

    Reply

    • Kromas GG

      July 4, 2016 at 10:41

      I once saw a report on the MSSA on tv with members playing in the background …. on a pc …. with a controller …. dota! WTF!

      Reply

      • Captain JJ off track

        July 4, 2016 at 10:42

        DOTA with a controller. That’s kak funny.
        I like using a controller for select games, but damn there’s a limit.

        Reply

        • Kromas GG

          July 4, 2016 at 10:43

          Pro gamers use controllers!

          Would have been funnier if it was CS:GO. 😛

          Reply

    • HvR

      July 4, 2016 at 10:59

      Is the dude on the far right a family member?

      Reply

  5. Captain JJ off track

    July 4, 2016 at 10:49

    I bet the guys over at the MSSA has: “Look for articles where we can sue people” on their to-do list.
    Above “Do your job”

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    July 4, 2016 at 10:54

    • Captain JJ off track

      July 4, 2016 at 10:57

      I feel like the MSSA is completely convinced that they know what they’re doing. Like how Zuma knows how to read large numbers that exceed 100. XD

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        July 4, 2016 at 10:58

        I bet someone reads the amount on Zuma’s payslip every month?

        Reply

        • Captain JJ off track

          July 4, 2016 at 10:59

          😀

          Reply

    • Pariah

      July 4, 2016 at 11:02

      *Your

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        July 4, 2016 at 11:04

        LOL

        Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        July 4, 2016 at 11:13

        That took me WAY too long to get.

        Reply

  7. Matthew Holliday

    July 4, 2016 at 11:18

    MSSA doing MSSA things
    yaya bla bla, i agree with all that stuff and things.
    Do we honestly expect anything different from them at this point?
    I especially liked your comment about teams joining MSSA comps when they dont get any real results.

    But did that bro really harass the dudes mom about her son not really deserving the spot?
    dick move, even if he’s not wrong.

    Reply

    • John V. D. Merwe

      July 4, 2016 at 12:40

      Yes. An let’s be honest here. If someone has something against the organisation who is sending the guy overseas, they’re the idiot for thinking hijacking the post of a mother, who is clearly very proud of her son for being good at a computer game (that’s a victory right there) will achieve anything other than making themselves look like a douche bag, even if they are indeed right. It’s just not on, and utterly cringe worthy. But still… He’s not wrong.

      Reply

  8. For the Emperor!

    July 4, 2016 at 11:50

    Look, I would also like a free trip – nothing wrong with that. But it seems there are these issues every year and writing/complaining about it does nothing. Can/should this be changed from the inside maybe? I don’t know. When I win the Powerball tomorrow I will see what I can do 😛

    Reply

  9. Tech Girl

    July 4, 2016 at 11:58

    A bunch of kids have found a way to abuse a shitty system to get them overseas to play games. Is it wrong? Yes. Are they 18 and keen for a jol? Yes. Doesnt make it right. We can write articles and moan about this all we want. Until SASCOC steps in and puts a stop to it, it is going to carry on. Even then, so they kick out the current crowd, a new crowd gets voted in – same same but different?

    Reply

    • Greylingad[He Charges!]

      July 4, 2016 at 11:59

      Same same, but also, different…
      But different, but same same?

      Reply

      • Captain JJ off track

        July 4, 2016 at 12:16

        • Greylingad[He Charges!]

          July 4, 2016 at 12:18

          But…but….I hated that movie…

          Reply

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 12:18

            I haven’t watched it. I just know the gif. 🙂

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            July 4, 2016 at 12:19

            Don’t…just rather watch the whole of Archer again…

          • Captain JJ off track

            July 4, 2016 at 12:21

            Well, that sounds like a splendid idea! I just have to still finish the latest stuff

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            July 4, 2016 at 12:23

            It’s sooooo gooooood….

  10. CongoKyle

    July 4, 2016 at 13:03

    Hey guys, I had to edit out some personal stuff. My apologies to Ashton, and Jessie. Players before have stated they did it for a free trip. The aim of the article is to once again point out the inadequacies within this flawed system, and I used Ashton as an example because he is one of the countries best CS:GO players, and part of the current best team in South Africa.

    Let’s keep it civil <3

    Reply

  11. Kerrits

    July 4, 2016 at 14:36

    What am I missing? What is preventing the real best players from playing the qualifiers?

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      July 4, 2016 at 15:14

      the MSSA puts down insane rules and regulations to try and overly control everything. People have tried working with them before and every time it’s ended in tears

      Reply

  12. Skoobaz

    July 4, 2016 at 14:55

    I don’t see demographic representation of the country here. Therefore this isn’t sanctioned. Can’t be legit…Lolz

    Reply

  13. RinceThis

    July 4, 2016 at 21:00

    Sigh, it’s still a thing…

    Reply

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