Image courtesy of George Mason University Korea The YTL Esports Competition provides a unique opportunity for young gamers to refine their problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and leadership competencies. Participants will compete in structured esports matches featuring Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch 2, engage in targeted skills-building exercises, and participate in mentorship sessions designed to support career development in […]
The YTL Esports Competition provides a unique opportunity for young gamers to refine their problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and leadership competencies. Participants will compete in structured esports matches featuring Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch 2, engage in targeted skills-building exercises, and participate in mentorship sessions designed to support career development in digital industries.
George Mason University Korea, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, and Coupang have jointly announced the 2025 Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Esports Competition, a U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral initiative aimed at fostering strategic thinking, teamwork, and digital engagement among young gamers. This competition will serve as an educational platform for participants to develop essential cognitive and collaborative skills within a competitive environment while strengthening trilateral relations between the three nations.
Registration for the 2025 YTL Esports Competition is now open, and interested participants are encouraged to apply promptly to secure placement. Further details on the competition format, regulations, and program schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. For additional information regarding the 2025 YTL Esports Competition and participation details, please visit https://vsgi.gmu.edu/2025-ytl-esports-competition/.
This program is fully funded by Coupang, Inc., an American e-commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, through a public-private partnership with the U.S. State Department. The event is co-organized with Company E, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization recognized for its pioneering contributions to technology-driven education and creative digital methodologies.
“The YTL Esports Competition extends beyond competitive gaming; it is an innovative platform designed to cultivate digital literacy, cross-cultural collaboration, and leadership development among young participants,” stated Prof. Sang Nam, co-director of the Virginia Serious Game Institute and the primary organizer of the program. “We are honored to support an initiative that advances education, innovation, and a strong U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral partnership.”
“As Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized alongside ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, the trilateral partnership is a crucial component of our shared commitment to the safety, security, and prosperity of both our own countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” said U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Officer Joshua Lustig. “Further strengthening our network of trilateral youth champions through the YTL Esports Competition will bring our countries even closer together.”
