By Lola at Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:18:19 AM

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has listed Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) as a category one sport. Rugby, cricket and tennis are all examples of category one sports.

In other words, eSports is playing with the big guns now ;)

Let’s take a look at the importance of being labeled as a category one sport by understanding the importance of SASCOC.

SASCOC is South Africa’s national multi-coded sporting body responsible for the preparation, presentation and performance of teams to all multi-coded events, namely the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Games, All Africa Games, Olympic Youth Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and Zone VI Games.

In laymen’s terms, it’s the governmental body that regulates all South African sports. So, if you want to represent your country in a sport, then SASCOC is the body that you will have to work through. Membership is granted by belonging to your specific sports discipline federation, and that federation being an affiliate of SASCOC.

SASCOC is also responsible for the awarding of National Protea Colours to athletes/officials who have met the criteria to represent South Africa in different sporting codes and arenas. The organization also endorses the applications for Bidding and Hosting of international events, providing specific criteria are all met.

No one understands the importance of governmental approval better than Colin Webster, president of the MSSA. Join us for a talk about SASCOC, eSports and the road ahead.

How did it come about that the MSSA was awarded a category one sport position?

The fact that the MSSA is now a category one sport is the result of years of hard work and commitment. An achievement of this nature is not a 'flash-in-the-pan', but rather the end result of years of hard work.The MSSA is a founder member of SASCOC, and, has been over the years, a loyal member. The criteria to be a category member are as follows:

being of high profile in the country

being popular and has a historical legacy

have tremendously placed the country profile in the world because of its achievements

more or less it represents the demographics of the country

have been part of the National Priority Codes in the Country

having had a better share of the grant from SRSA

have a mass appeal in terms of participation ( Played both in the rural and urban areas)

being part of schools sports program

its technical needs and facilities easy to reach or improvise

What is important about the MSSA being affiliated to SASCOC?

In terms of the current legislation apropos Sport and Recreation, all sports federations that are recognised by the Minister of Sport are expected to be members of SASCOC. SSASCOC is the overarching sports federation that is responsible for selecting teams that attend the Olympic Games and such, as well as being the body that ensures that there is good governance in South African sport.

It is SASCOC that governs the use of the Protea badge on behalf of the state, and it is SASCOC that speaks on behalf of its member sports. Thus it is through the MSSA's membership to SASCOC that the MSSA has been able to fight the good fight for all its disciplines....

What is the significance of MSSA being acknowledged as a category one sport?

The significance is that participants in Mind Sports South Africa can visibly see that they are on an equal footing with other major sports. The value in participating in the MSSA has as much importance as participating in any of the other 27 category one sports. It essentially means that eSports is on the rise and it is not going to be taken lightly.

How does the road ahead look for eSports?

The future is bright. With the added accreditation by SASCOC, comes greater responsibility and effort, but more importantly, the added accreditation allows the MSSA to deliver so much more to its member clubs and to all of its Registered Players. It is now not incomprehensible that eSports will not be included in All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games, etc, The accreditation of being a category one sport means that the MSSA's foundations are firm and that eSports will be able to go so much further and build a bigger and better future for all its gamers.

MSSA: Twitter | Facebook / SASCOC: Website

Closing thoughts

Because of its governmental structure, the MSSA has chosen to take eSports South Africa on the “road less traveled.” Gamers are mostly an unruly, undisciplined and egocentric bunch, especially the competitive communities; they therefore rejected the strict rules and format of the MSSA.

With much respect and gratitude we want to thank the MSSA for sticking it out with us. For facing the storms and taking the flack. Today, the many voices that screamed failure and labeled the MSSA as a good for nothing organization are silenced.

Respect.

Han’s Twitter | Blog / MWEB Gamezone Twitter | Facebook

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Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not MWEB Connect (Pty) Ltd