People of the Month_July 2011 (Colin Webster)

We are introducing Colin Webster, the president of Mind Sports South Africa. We would like to share his vision and passion toward e-sports.

What is your mission & vision for the e-sports?
? I was one of the founder members of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) back in 1984 when computer gaming was in its infancy. At that time, computer games were seen to be an aid to the more traditional wargames and board games. Who would have thought back then how sophisticated computer games would become? The vision that the MSSA has for eSports is as the same as for the more traditional games for which the MSSA is the authority in South Africa, and that is to have the games recognized as any other sport.
Through the MSSA’s membership of the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) the MSSA hopes to see Computer Gaming established and accredited as an international sport by the General Assembly of International Sport Federations (GAISF). When the GAISF accepts Computer Gaming as an international Sport, a whole new era will be ushered in for Computer Gaming in that Computer Gaming will be allowed to participate in the International Mind Sports Association’s Games, and be included in the All Africa Games, the Commonwealth Games, and possibly even in the Olympic Games.
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2. Please introduce “Mind Sports South Africa” and major projects of it.
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The MSSA is a “Universitas” and as such is constituted in terms of South African legislation. As such no-one owns the MSSA and all member clubs, from around the country, have a direct influence on who is elected to the different committees. The MSSA has a number of major projects, one of the most important projects that the MSSA has is its development project. Many readers will be aware of the disparity of wealth in South Africa. Through eSports gamers are able to earn bursaries that allow them to attend university. In such way, eSports becomes more than just a game, it becomes a tool to help gamers educate themselves and become productive members of society. Other projects include the continual promotion of our inter-school league, and another is to establish at least one club in every one of the 287 municipalities in South Africa.

1. Please tell us briefly about beginning, history (how it grew up), and current status of e-sports market in South Africa.
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   From the day that the MSSA was founded (1984), the MSSA has had to fight to have the games that the MSSA promotes to be recognized to be accredited as equals to any of the other sports that exist in South Africa.
   The breakthrough happened in 1991 when the MSSA was allowed to award Springbok Colours to its wargames team. The Springbok was awarded for the period 1991 to 1993 and the Protea was awarded from 1994 until today. In 1997, the MSSA awarded Protea Colours to its Morabaraba team, and in 2001 the MSSA was allowed to award Protea Colours to the players who represented South Africa for Checkers.
   ?However, it was not until 2005 that the MSSA was granted permission by the Protea Colours Board for Computer Gaming. It should be noted that the Protea Colours awarded are the same as awarded to cricket, rugby, swimming, etc. Players who receive such colours are enable to apply for, and receive, bursaries at universities. As a recognized sports code, the MSSA was thus accepted into membership of the following:
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2. The Confederation of South African Sport (COSAS) in 1991
3. The National Olympic Sports Council of South Africa (NOCSA) in 1991
4. The National Sports Council (NSC) in 1994
5. The South African Sports Commission (SASC) 1999 until dissolved in 2005.
6. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in 2005.
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   Today, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is recognised by the Department of Sport and Recreation as the national controlling body in terms of the Sport and Recreation Act of 1998 (as amended). Such Act recognises Mind Sports South Africa as the only authority for eSports as a sport and/or as a recreation in the Republic.
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7. Please tell us briefly about the policy and governmental strategy related to e-sports in South Africa.
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   Since the MSSA is a fully recognised national federation, the policies apropos eSports is exactly the same as with any other sport. As such the MSSA, from time to time, qualifies for government grants as well as for funding from the National Lottery. However, it must be noted the the government places more emphasis on sports that are played at the Olympics than those that do not.

8. If there is any difficulties to operate leagues and the national federation?
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   There are many problems that affect the proper functioning of a national federation in South Africa. The most important are the low levels of employment, and the low levels of education. The distances between cities does not help either. Johannesburg is 1600km’s away from Cape Town, 1400km’s away from Port Elizabeth, 600 km’s away from Durban, and 450km’s away from Bloemfontein. The distances add significantly to the cost of a national programme as well as the ability of gamers to travel from one event to another. Then there is the issue of connectivity to servers outside of Arica…..
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9. What do you think is crucial to make a national federation better?
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   It really depends on how far advanced the federation is. The MSSA was founded in 1984, so it has been around for a while. Generally though, secure financial streams would help every national federation. Another important factor is to have a robust international federation. Football is a good example, because of the strength of FIFA, all football national federations are strengthened.
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10. What do you think is necessary to develop e-sports in Africa?
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    To raise and develop eSports in Africa, other African states need to see the importance of eSports and how it can lead to the transformation of an economy. However, it must be realized that in Africa, some cities have intermittent electricity supply, and many countries have to rely on donor aid ? eSports is very low on the agenda. Countries like Kenya tend to promote sports that require little investment (like running) due to financial constraints.
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11. If there is comment on IeSF for being the global leader of e-sports?
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    The need for the IeSF is undisputed. For any sport to grow and prosper, such sport needs an international federation where the member federations can combine their joint experiences to build something greater than the individual member. Through a democratic structure of an International Federation, members are able to influence companies and even countries in order to protect the gamer and to promote the game.
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12. Finally, please tell us your goal for your life related to e-sports.
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    My goal is simple, while I am an elected official of the MSSA I have to best represent the views of the gamers affiliated to the MSSA, and to be the best possible administrator that I can be.