Home Gaming Mandatory update on the MSSA suspension from SASCOC

Mandatory update on the MSSA suspension from SASCOC

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Sometimes writing about the MSSA feels like I’m explaining away the follies of that annoying kid in school who refused to listen. But I’ve been asked by a number of people about the MSSA response and our original report so here are the facts and nothing but the facts.

How It Began

At 12:00 on the 3rd of July we received a tip stating the following

“Is there any truth that MSSA in no longer part of SASCOC”

We responded stating that we saw they were removed from the SASCOC website but presumed that it was a technical error and asked them where they heard this. As to not put our informer at risk we won’t paste his full response but the gist of it was that they was informed by a member of the South African government.

We immediately requested, at around 12:40 our brand new intern to give SASCOC a call, on the direct line we have, to the department regarding a possible MSSA removal. The person we normally chat to wasn’t available but her office responded that it is true and that the MSSA is currently not affiliated with SASCOC at this time but that she cannot give us more details. We had another staff member phone again for confirmation and were met with the same response.

We posted the original story at 12:51 and stated that the story was ongoing and that we would update it. Matthew then called the listed MSSA number to request a comment from their side. Colin Webster answered and while not refusing to comment did ask Matthew to call back in an hour for a response.

During this time we were peppered with reasons for the action SASCOC took which ranged from accounting issues with a certain department inside the MSSA, to accusations that the MSSA had made against SASCOC, to a simple documentation issue.

MSSA Responds

Mygaming then picked up on the article and phoned Colin who was willing to give them the following response.

“It’s not true,” Webster told MyGaming. “According to the articles of association, the only way our membership can be terminated is at a council meeting.”

However they also received a response from the CEO of SASCOC, Tubby Reddy who stated that the suspension was in fact correct and that the internal process was underway. Colin then implied to Mygaming that the suspension was a “knee-jerk” reaction to a number of complaints the MSSA had made against SASCOC.

And so ended the exciting day that was the 3rd of July.

MSSA Refuses to Clarify

Then on the 7th of July we emailed the MSSA to request a formal response and once again it was Colin Webster who responded with the following:

“Would it not have been prudent for you to have checked your facts before writing the article as published?

Please note that before Lazygamer uses any of the MSSA’s Intellectual Property, such blog should request permission.”

To be clear we checked our facts and asked the MSSA for comment when the news was occurring.  Also, as a media outlet we do not require permission to use the MSSA badge in an image while discussing the MSSA in a news article.

Now They Clarify

Shortly after that response we noticed the MSSA had put out a new official response.

“It has come to the attention of Mind Sports South Africa that it has been alleged on a website that MSSA’s membership of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has been terminated. We wish to state that this is not true and that MSSA’s membership of SASCOC has never been terminated. Our recent correspondence with SASCOC confirms this position.

There is a dispute with SASCOC as to documentation which they say they are unhappy with. MSSA will meet with SASCOC in due course to clarify this matter.

We request members to disregard any statements which imply that MSSA has been expelled from SASCOC as being false.”

The MSSA’s new position is that it is simply a documentation error. We have since corresponded with SASCOC again and they have once again confirmed that the MSSA is currently suspended as an affiliate of SASCOC. This is the fourth time this has been confirmed to us by SASCOC, so we really have to take them at their word now.

If the MSSA would like to clarify what documentation is under dispute it would go a long way to clearing the air with gamers and the clubs who the MSSA relies on to be an organisation within itself.

My Personal Feelings

Okay I lied about it being nothing but the facts, here are two quick personal opinions as we’re not robots here.

Personally I am disappointed with MWEB for not demanding an answer as they are the primary sponsors of the MSSA and to protect their name they should be ensuring they aren’t getting mixed up in something that will sully it. I am also personally disappointed to see the new president of the MSSA, Simphiwe Maphumulo, not stepping forward and clarifying this but rather leaving it to the General Secretary who is picking and choosing which media outlets he will give information to.

TL;DR

According to repeated confirmations from SASCOC, the MSSA is currently suspended from the organisation until due process has been completed. This is what we are taking as fact until SASCOC themselves confirms differently. This could mean they have simply failed to submit documents or accounts on time and will be reinstated in the very near future.

This could also mean that SASCOC has a reason to terminate the affiliation and are currently following due process.

As neither party is being transparent about the process we can do little but to sit and wait. It is worth noting that in the last few days SASCOC has updated their member database again and the MSSA is still not listed, it can however be found if you know the URL so they have only been removed from the listing page.

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Last Updated: July 9, 2014

83 Comments

  1. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    July 9, 2014 at 12:11

    What boggles my mind is that the MSSA refuse to clear their name and insist on being closed off about this. They are the official eSports guys in SA and have as yet not done anything to really clear the air as to what is happening.

    Any other organisation would already have made a much clearer statement so as to prevent them from looking silly instead of appearing like they have no idea what’s going on or how it affects everyone associated with them

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      July 9, 2014 at 12:11

      *bloggles. tee hee

      Reply

    • ToshZA

      July 9, 2014 at 14:25

      Technically, they’re not the official eSports guys right now.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        July 9, 2014 at 14:28

        They still adamantly proclaim to be. Therefore they should act accordingly

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          July 9, 2014 at 14:58

          Fair point.

          Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    July 9, 2014 at 12:11

    You must be happy Gavin, you’re now a blog & no longer a “blob”.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Fairburne

      July 9, 2014 at 12:11

      UPGRADE

      LVL2 achievement unlocked!

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        July 9, 2014 at 12:25

        DING!

        Reply

  3. Praise Lord GabeN

    July 9, 2014 at 12:12

    On their FB page they claim this as a “Hoax”

    Reply

    • Praise Lord GabeN

      July 9, 2014 at 12:12

      Oops, forgot the pic

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Fairburne

        July 9, 2014 at 12:14

        ROOOOOOOOOOPE

        Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        July 9, 2014 at 12:15

        you had to see their rude response to another user:

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          July 9, 2014 at 12:17

          Make politics more important than sport. Does that include dragging journalists to court instead of building a proper name for one self or establishing a group maybe half as good as the Southern Barbarians?

          Reply

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            July 9, 2014 at 12:21

            BOOOOOOM

          • Spathi

            July 9, 2014 at 12:21

            Fuck yeah. Screen shot for court!

    • Admiral Chief Fairburne

      July 9, 2014 at 12:12

      Rope rope and more rope I say

      Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    July 9, 2014 at 12:13

    ” everywhere
    * refresh for pic

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      July 9, 2014 at 12:19

      What’s making me laugh is the tag. Tip to those who don’t get it:

      The tag is to make everything in it bold but is considered the absolute last resort to do so in HTML. One should rather use the heading tags or a font style to style and resize text

      Reply

      • Archzion

        July 9, 2014 at 12:20

        It’s as bad as the photographs they take at their events. Somebody clearly sponsored them a potato.

        Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        July 9, 2014 at 12:20

        Well that went super well. Disqus actually took the tag argument and made my text bold lol

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          July 9, 2014 at 12:22

          Hows this even possible ????

          Reply

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            July 9, 2014 at 12:22

            GAH!!! MY EYES!!!

      • William Francis

        July 9, 2014 at 12:30

        lulz, them breakline tags, not even an anchor tag on the email either.

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

          July 9, 2014 at 12:32

          Heh. The breakline tags at least I can still handle. I didn’t even pick up on the anchor tag though. Hehehe

          Reply

          • ToshZA

            July 9, 2014 at 14:22

            Yeah but they didn’t use the breakline tag properly either. always.

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            July 9, 2014 at 14:29

            hehe. Yeah

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      July 9, 2014 at 12:23

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    July 9, 2014 at 12:14

    BUT WHAT DOES THE E-SPORTS COMMENTATOR SAY? He always has the inside scoop.

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    July 9, 2014 at 12:15

    So to believe what SASCOC says or what MSSA says?

    Reply

  7. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    July 9, 2014 at 12:17

    It all boils down to communication and professionalism. I get it, Colin loathes you guys. You’ve been a thorn in his side for a while now, and I guess he wishes he could suplex you all through a flaming table (starting with Gavin), however regardless of how he might feel about this “blob” (teehee), he has to act in a professional manner.

    MSSAS should have released a statement – and not just to the usual suspects.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      July 9, 2014 at 12:20

      Exactly, instead MSSA now has to sit all day on Facebook denying all the claims.

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        July 9, 2014 at 12:25

        I still find it funny that they use facebook as there “official” site XD

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          July 9, 2014 at 12:26

          Wait till you check out their actual site
          http://www.mindsportsa.co.za/

          Reply

          • Ottokie

            July 9, 2014 at 12:40

            Wow it flows as smooth as butter navigating that website…and all the diversity of games in the photo’s, its amazeballs!

          • Hammersteyn

            July 9, 2014 at 12:43

            XD

          • Ottokie

            July 9, 2014 at 12:44

            The only event for the rest of the year on the whole calendar is 12-17th November XD

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            July 9, 2014 at 12:47

            wait… but what happened to the old 1 color website?

            THis is a massive improvement 0_0

          • Kensei Seraph

            July 9, 2014 at 12:51

            Yeah, now it’s a whole 3 colours.

          • Hammersteyn

            July 9, 2014 at 12:52

            Words can’t describe

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            July 9, 2014 at 12:54

            I guess we will have to use the other site then to continue laughing:

            http://www.mindsportssa.freeservers.com/

          • Hammersteyn

            July 9, 2014 at 12:59

            What is this??? 1994???

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            July 9, 2014 at 13:06

            GEOCITIES CALLED THEY WANT THEIR 1994 COLOURS BACK!

          • Hammersteyn

            July 9, 2014 at 13:22

            HAHAHAHAHA

        • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

          July 9, 2014 at 12:27

          Especially when they actually have a domain registered where they can have an actual, proper, official site

          Reply

  8. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    July 9, 2014 at 12:24

    Hey MSSA. Well done on releasing some proper information that could have avoided all the stories now flying around.

    http://i.imgur.com/kRbdt.gif

    Reply

  9. Spathi

    July 9, 2014 at 12:29

    Dear MSSA, the way you handled this issue thus far is a fucking joke. The only conclusion the reasonable man can arrive at is that Colin Webster is still in charge of the MSSA and that Simphiwe is purely a figurehead. Furthermore, the way you handle questions from members of the public and press is nothing less than disgraceful.

    Dear Mweb, please wake the hell up. You are supporting a organisation whose management is incapable of looking after the interest of gamers, and by supporting them, you are supporting and condoning their actions.

    Reply

    • MakeItLegal

      July 9, 2014 at 13:17

      Nice one !

      Reply

  10. loftie

    July 9, 2014 at 12:47

    boom, headshot. x4

    Reply

  11. Consumer of Little Rabbits

    July 9, 2014 at 12:48

    L O L

    Reply

  12. neilhza

    July 9, 2014 at 12:56

    Meanwhile, on their facebook page https://vine.co/v/MPX0OQWVVI9

    Reply

    • Weanerdog

      July 9, 2014 at 13:38

      Loved that “Cape Fear’ Episode. Die Bart Die, still cracks me up.

      Reply

  13. MakeItLegal

    July 9, 2014 at 13:13

    America – fuck yea !

    Oh wait we on lazygamer , South Africa – we fuck better

    Giggles , on a serious note , thanks lazy , u guys have a spine ! Much love

    Reply

  14. MakeItLegal

    July 9, 2014 at 13:17

    Can we not just play games ? Do we even need these people ?

    Reply

    • Kromas

      July 9, 2014 at 13:25

      That’s what the Southern Barbarians thought till the MSSA banned them from using our flag.

      Reply

      • Axon1988

        July 9, 2014 at 13:26

        We could always design a pretty flag with our national colors… but the southern barbarians logo as foundation. I think that would look pretty, and professional. If they already have this, then ignore my message.

        Reply

        • Kromas

          July 9, 2014 at 13:28

          It is an issue of national pride. They have their own logo just as the Bokke has theirs but at least the Bokke can have our flag waving during games as well.

          Reply

          • Axon1988

            July 9, 2014 at 13:41

            Yeah sure I can completely understand that. I was just trying to find some middle ground here.

          • Kromas

            July 9, 2014 at 13:42

            Yeah there is no middle ground with them. Either they are right and you are wrong or you don’t have enough info to prove them wrong. 🙁

          • Axon1988

            July 9, 2014 at 13:44

            Or enough moola

      • MakeItLegal

        July 9, 2014 at 14:21

        How Eva , they went on to win , so who lost out ? Mssa I think ? And us , well cause it should of said South Africans , anywho the point bein they made it to the finals and won with out the help of mssa , so with out this body they still went on to win , I repeat , do we really need The mssa ?

        Reply

        • Kromas

          July 9, 2014 at 15:05

          We don’t need them to win, however we do need them to go away so we can proudly broadcast that the South African team won.

          Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      July 9, 2014 at 19:59

      They are not required but in all honesty getting governmental support in our sport SHOULD be a great thing.

      Reply

      • MakeItLegal

        July 10, 2014 at 10:13

        yes , but jumping through hurdles backwards to get the flag is also uncool , rember there was a time when a certain COD tournament came about , and that was like 1 SA dude but they got to fly the flag ?

        Reply

  15. Greylingad

    July 9, 2014 at 13:41

    This is definitely the work of the M ETH ETH Aye, I’m pretty sure they are adding more fuel to the fire with responses like those mentioned in the above mentioned “blob”, second to that they are about as transparent as a black hole and have the communication and public skills of a cat with a furball stuck in it’s mouth, I find this not only unprofessional, but lacklustre and unethical, away with these fools, I say!

    Reply

  16. Rags

    July 9, 2014 at 13:46

    I just emailed SASCOC to express my disappointment with the MSSA in general and their handling of the situation. (lying to us)

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      July 9, 2014 at 14:02

      I did email them myself earlier simply as a member of the public asking if there is a process to re-assess whether the MSSA should continue looking after eSports as it appears to have outgrown them

      Reply

      • Greylingad

        July 9, 2014 at 14:07

        If there is a public process, you can count me in!

        Reply

      • Rags

        July 9, 2014 at 14:45

        Do you have a better email than the admin@sascoc one? I am afraid that it will just get lost.

        Reply

        • Gavin Mannion

          July 9, 2014 at 15:32

          Not that we can give out unfortunately.. but they do seem to answer that one. Well I can confirm that they read that one, answering is different

          Reply

  17. neilhza

    July 9, 2014 at 16:19

    LOL “A ‘Gavin’ commented with his usual insults and expletives which really shows me what sort of person he really is. Hence the post will not be uploaded….” – http://esportscommentator.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/mssa-and-sascoc.html#comment-form

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      July 9, 2014 at 19:59

      I may have been over enthusiasitc with my comments… lots of f-bombs and accusations.. but since the man doesn’t exist he can’t sue me

      Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        July 10, 2014 at 09:20

        Funny thing… they keep going on about “We request members to disregard any statements which imply that MSSA has been expelled from SASCOC as being false.” but no one at Lazygamer.net has said that they’re “expelled”, just suspended.

        Reply

        • gary

          July 10, 2014 at 16:51

          Hmmm . Gavn did say as the HEADER for a prev post ”

          Breaking: The MSSA is no longer affiliated with SASCOC”
          This has a far different meaning to being suspended.

          Reply

          • VampyreSquirrel

            July 10, 2014 at 17:04

            He stated in the article that they were suspended… not once did Gavin state that they had been expelled.

            Being suspended from SASCOC also means you are not affiliated with them during your time of suspension.

  18. StangV2_0

    October 28, 2016 at 17:28

    Any update on this?

    Reply

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