Top Header Ad

Rowell Pillay and Irene Banda Set the Pace at MSSA Northern Cape Online Championships

Rowell Pillay led her team, Paradox, to victory in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) women’s category at the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships, earning colours for herself and six team Paradox members at the tournament, which ended on Sunday, 25 January 2025. 

The Mind Sports South Africa tournament saw esports competitors from seven provinces showcase their skills while refining tactics ahead of the 2026 team selection. 

From the gsport Newsroom Archives, July 2025

Pillay, who also serves as the captain of the all-women Protea Esports Team for MLBB, was awarded Provincial senior colours alongside teammates Rashmika Nanakan, Ranya Sujee, Felicia Singh, Shanel Arunachellam, Amy Wilkins, and Kim Lu. 

This performance follows Pillay’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) title earned during South Africa’s second match against Mauritius in the May 2025 MLBB test series, which was part of a successful campaign including clean sweeps against Madagascar and Ghana. 

Meanwhile, up-and-coming star Irene Banda earned Gauteng Provincial (Senior & Primary) colours for her Clash Royale title, in addition to winning the Sportsmanship Award participating for the Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club. 

The championships   significant growth in representation, with female participation increasing to 27% of all competitors. 

Shreeya Mahadeo, Irene Banda, and Hadiya Carrim are applying the same rigour to their 2026 studies as they do to their sports, proving that methodical preparation and visualisation are keys to balancing elite performance with academic success

How Our Next Generation of Sportswomen Intend to Boss the 2026 Academic Year



No Comments

Shreeya Mahadeo, Irene Banda, and Hadiya Carrim are applying the same rigour to their 2026…

South African sportswomen continue to perform at the highest level, and 2026 promises more world-class achievements. Esihle Zondo, a rising waterpolo star, is focused on keeping on playing in Europe. All Photos: Supplied

How Elite South African Athletes are Chasing Excellence for a Historic 2026



No Comments

From water polo pools to the powerlifting platform and the esports arena, South African athletes…

Twelve years old rising star Irene Banda is making waves in the competitive world of mobile gaming, and is excited about representing succesful Black girls as a part of the future of esports in South Africa. All Photos: Supplied

Irene Banda is Setting the Esports World Alight at Just 12 Years of Age



No Comments

Twelve-year-old Irene Banda, SA’s top-ranked female Clash Royale player, is the future of esports, with…

Mind Sports South Africa’s women Proteas Mobile Legends Bang Bang Esports team booked their place in the IESF's World Esports Championships, after what turned out to be a hard-fought battle against Madagascar. All Photos: Supplied

Proteas Mobile Legends Bang Bang Esports Team Secures IESF’s World Champs Berth



No Comments

The MSSA female Proteas Mobile Legends Bang Bang Esports applied discipline and skill to secure…

Marking a decade in competitive gaming, Maja ‘Cyber Ghost’ Carstens brings cool confidence and tactical insight to Namibia’s CS2 Women as they prep for the IESF African Qualifiers. All Photos: Supplied

Maja Carstens and Namibia CS2 Women Grind Towards IESF Africa Qualification



No Comments

Maja ‘Cyber Ghost’ Carstens is bringing cool confidence and tactical insight to Namibia’s CS2 Women…

Sydney Wood will debut internationally as the first woman Esports athlete to represent SA at a BRICS Esports Championships, when MSSA’s mixed Protea Esports Tekken 8 pair of Wood and Luay Khan experience their first taste of international competition in Moscow, Russia, from 31 May to 1 June, 2025 Photo: Supplied

Protea Esports Team Member Sydney Wood to Debut Internationally at the BRICS Esports Champs in Moscow



No Comments

Mind Sports South Africa’s mixed pair of Sydney Wood and Luay Khan are the Protea…

Athletes who finished in the top three or the top twenty percent (whichever is the greater) of their respective events have officially qualified for selection to the national squad and the Protea Team.


Main Photo Caption: Rowell Pillay led her team, Paradox, to victory in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang women’s category at the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships, earning colours for herself and six team members at the tournament, which ended on Sunday, 25 January 2025. All Photos: Supplied

Photo 2 Caption: Irene Banda claimed the Clash Royale title in addition to winning the Sportsmanship Award, participating for the Old Edwardian Mind Sports Club.

Crédito: Link de origem

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.