On representation

MIND Sports SA (MSSA) created the position of players’ representative on its committee in 2005. However, it was not until 2006 that MSSA found a player willing to take on such an important role.

The current representative is Jason Batzofin. He first earned his Protea colours in 2014 for wargames, and then in 2015 earned such colours for both wargames and esports.

Since then, Batzofin has moved on as a direct result of holding the position. In 2016 he was appointed by the International Esports Federation (IESF) to sit on its Athletes Commission.

Last year IESF’S Athletes Commission elected Batzofin to be the chairperson of the commission. He is currently in Sweden involved in high-level discussions with IESF’S board.

To be elected as the players’ representative to MSSA’S management board, a player must have Protea colours, and must have represented South Africa in an international competition, and may not be more than 30 years old at the time of such election.

However, it should be noted that the players’ representative is not to be elected at the annual general meeting (AGM) by the member clubs, but instead by registered players who are in standing and who are fully paid up.

The election of the players’ representative shall be conducted in the following manner:

All registered gamers who have senior provincial, national and Protea colours may send in their vote on the prescribed voting form for their choice of candidate.

The vote may be submitted either by facsimile or by email.

Such vote must reach the general secretary by the close of business on, or before, two days prior to the AGM.

Thus, registered players have the opportunity to circumvent the existing system of elections to get their choice of registered player directly on to the management board.

Thus, every registered player has the ability to influence MSSA.

IT IS well-known that Mind Sports South Africa is the country’s largest membership-based organisation for gaming. MSSA runs more than 30 events a year in more than 10 esports titles. It is even more impressive when you realise that it is done by volunteers and that all the income earned is ploughed back into developing and promoting esports. This methodology has allowed esports to become accredited as a sport and has enabled many people to become involved in running their own private events. VS Gaming’s Johann von Backström started in MSSA and served as the chairperson of its Esports Board of Control. Many of MSSA’S championships for esports started as far back as 1998, and the organisation offers a wide range of events that are tailored for most gamers, no matter where they live in the country. MSSA is the only organisation that runs events throughout the country.

JASON Batzofin, second from the right, at the Asian Esports Federation’s general assembly meeting in Al Ain, in the United Arab Emirates.