Players compete in various games, like Call of Duty, FIFA '22, DotA 2, and Tekken 7, through online platforms, meaning they can participate from the comfort of their homes and also the champions are not confined to the geographic borders of the province.

This event is the first qualifier for the 2023 National Team Trials (NTT).

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) held its national team trials in July 2022 to select their Protea Team to represent South Africa for the 2022/23 ESports championship.

MSSA President, Colin Webster, told OFM News that the organisation has been running online tournaments since 2010. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, they kept the tournaments online in order to give everyone an opportunity to participate.

The tournament is open to all MSSA-affiliated clubs. Those who do not have a club are encouraged to visit MSSA’s website or get in contact with them.

To start a club, Webster explains that at least three members must agree on a constitution prior to starting the club.

There are five gaming titles to be played across mobile platforms, personal computers (PC), and consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation.

Those who play mobile games on their PCs using Android emulators will automatically be considered mobile, according to Webster.

Childhood classics such as Tekken 7 and Street Fighters V will be available on consoles, with a one-vs-one team play.

On Saturday, the first round of the Championship will begin at 10:00. A total of five rounds will be played with each round lasting 60 minutes.

Players will be ranked based on the Swiss system, in which the winner will be the player with the highest score.

Webster further explained that like any other sports, all players that are at a provincial championship will earn provincial colours.

The players that win at a national championship will earn national colours and those that meet the Protea Colours Board’s criteria will be selected to represent South Africa in the International Championships.

The entry fee is R100 per registered player, and only fully paid-up players may participate. Competition submissions close on 26 August 2022.

OFM News/Bambatha Giko