National League Programme and tournament structure 2025

Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) National League Programme and Tournament Structure for selection of Provincial Colours or National Colours for qualifying athletes and organisations/styles.

(Note: The word “League” will replace “Block” in MASA terminology.)

Definition of a League

  1. A structured competition framework:
    • A group or system of competitive events, typically organised around a specific discipline or sport, where participants compete for rankings, titles, or recognition over a series of matches, tournaments, or events.
  1. An organisational alliance:
    • A collective of organisations, teams, or individuals united under a common set of rules, goals, or governance, often within a specific field or activity.

In the context of Martial Arts South Africa (MASA):

“A structured competitive framework designed to unite member organisations within a specific martial arts discipline, providing consistent platforms for competition, standardised rules, and pathways for Provincial and National recognition.”

Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) League Structures

Introduction

Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) provides structured competitive platforms for its members, ensuring fair representation, alignment with MASA standards, and adherence to selection criteria for Provincial and National Colours. In addition to competition guidelines, all leagues must adhere to MASA’s codes of conduct, safeguarding policies, and health and event safety standards.

Organisers are required to communicate with MASA’s Provincial and National Tournament Directors and Health and Safety Directors to ensure compliance with these policies, promoting athlete well-being, safety, and fairness.

League Categories and Member Organisations

  1. Combat League (CL)
    • Member Organisations:
      • KOSA (Kickboxing South Africa)
      • RCFA (Ring Contact Fighting Arts)
      • WKU (World Kickboxing Union affiliates)
      • Muay Thai associations under MASA
      • KFS (Korean Fighting Systems)
    • Competition Divisions:
      • Continuous Fighting
      • Semi-Contact Fighting
      • Light-Contact Fighting
      • Low Kick
      • K-1 Rules
      • Other Kickboxing Divisions
  1. Korean Martial Arts League (SAKMAA)
    • Member Organisations:
      • Non-Olympic Traditional Taekwondo Formats
      • Tang Soo Do organisations
      • Hapkido associations
      • Haedong Kumdo organisations
    • Competition Divisions:
      • Forms (Hyungs/Poomsae)
      • Traditional Weapons
      • Combat Weapon Sparring
      • Traditional Point Sparring
      • Continuous Sparring (Korean Styles Rules)
      • Other Korean Style Divisions
  1. Traditional Karate League (TKL)
    • Member Organisations:
      • WUKF SA
      • Kobudo Organisations
      • Other MASA-affiliated Traditional Karate organisations
    • Competition Divisions:
      • Kata (Forms)
      • Team Kata
      • Kumite (Traditional Point Sparring)
      • Kobudo Weapons Forms
      • Other Traditional Karate Divisions
  1. Ju-Jitsu and Grappling League (JJGL)
    • Member Organisations:
      • SAJJC (South African Ju-Jitsu Council)
      • GSA (Grappling South Africa)
      • SAGA (South African Grappling Association)
    • Competition Divisions:
      • Gi Grappling (Traditional Ju-Jitsu rules)
      • No-Gi Grappling (Submission Wrestling)
      • Team Tournaments
      • Other Grappling Styles or Ju-Jitsu Divisions
  1. Sport Martial Arts League (NMA-ISKA)
    • Member Organisations:
      • National Martial Arts Academy (NMA)
      • International Sport Karate Association (ISKA)
    • Competition Divisions:
      • Fighting:
        • ISKA Sport Points
  1. ISKA Sport Continuous
  2. ISKA Sport Full Contact
  3. MMA:
    • ISKA Light MMA
    • ISKA Sport Full MMA (semi and full contact to the body; semi contact only to the face)
  4. Tag Team Fighting:
    • ISKA Tag Team Fighting Divisions
  5. Grand Championship Title Fighting:
    • ISKA Grand Champion Fighting Divisions
  6. Self-Defense:
    • ISKA Team Self-Defense Challenge (Junior and Senior Divisions)
  7. Forms:
    • ISKA Sport Traditional
    • ISKA Creative
    • ISKA Extreme
    • ISKA Musical
  8. Weapons Forms:
    • ISKA Sport Traditional Weapons
    • ISKA Creative Weapons
  9. Grand Championship Title Forms:
    • Winners of ISKA Forms Divisions qualify for Grand Championship Title competitions.
  10. Team Forms:
    • Synchronized / Unison Team Forms
  11. Breaking:
    • ISKA Power Breaking
    • ISKA Creative Breaking
    • ISKA 3-Directional Breaking
  1. High Kick Challenge:
    • ISKA High Kicking Challenge
    • ISKA Extreme Kicking Challenge (Tricking Battle)
  2. Grappling:
    • No-Gi Grappling Challenge (in collaboration with SAGA)
  1. Unique Styles Under MASA
    • Member Organisations:
      • Aikido (Non-Competitive)
      • Kendo
      • Japanese Archery (Kyudo)
      • Kurash
      • Sport Judo
      • Other MASA-recognised martial arts styles with unique formats

Governance for All Leagues

  1. League Committee:
    • MASA will appoint representatives from each member organisation within the league.
    • Committees are responsible for:
      • Standardising competition rules.
      • Coordinating events.
      • Maintaining athlete rankings.
  1. MASA Oversight:
    • Ensures compliance with health, safety, and safeguarding standards.
    • Requires adherence to MASA’s codes of conduct, safeguarding policies, and event safety standards.
    • Hosts must communicate directly with MASA’s Provincial and National Tournament Directors and Health and Safety Directors for guidance and approval.
    • Reviews athlete rankings, achievements, and performance records.

Selection Pathway and Recommendations

  1. Athletes must participate in:
    • A Provincial Championship within their league.
    • A National Championship within their league.
    • A MASA Provincial Championship.
    • A MASA National Championship.
    • Member organisation’s Provincial and National Championships.
  2. Rankings:
    • Rankings from all related tournaments.
    • Cumulative performance across League, MASA Championships, and member events.
    • Overall assessment of consistency, skill, and achievement.

Health and Safety for All Leagues

  • All tournaments and demonstrations must adhere to MASA’s health, safety, and safeguarding policies.
  • Hosts must submit detailed safety plans and event proposals for approval and communicate with MASA’s Health and Safety Directors to ensure compliance.

Implementation Steps

  1. MASA will appoint a League Committee for each league.
  2. Collaborate with member organisations to standardise rules and coordinate events.
  3. Publish schedules for Provincial and National Championships, as well as MASA events.
  4. Monitor and evaluate athlete performance to ensure fair selection.

Conduct annual reviews to refine the selection process and ensure continued alignment with MASA standards.