The Youth Esports Program (YEP) is getting a power boost in its initiatives and activities for esports grassroots development in the country as it partners up with global game developer and publisher, Riot Games Southeast Asia.

Through this partnership with Riot Games Southeast Asia, students that are part of the Youth Esports Program will gain access to Riot’s speakers through workshops and career talks, participation in activities organized by the publisher, and other support for student initiatives. Among these initiatives include weekly Legend of Runeterra tournaments for YEP chapter orgs, VALORANT content contests, and more.

“The Philippines has always been one of our most important markets and we have been consistently blown away by the passion and talent discovered within the community here. We are excited to partner with the Youth Esports Program and to support their efforts in nurturing the next generation of esports and game industry professionals,” said Chris Tran, Head of Esports for Riot Games Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

This partnership also marks the inclusion of VALORANT as an official tournament game in the Youth Esports Program’s soon-to-be-announced national cross-campus esports league.

“We’re very happy and excited to have Riot Games be part of the program. We are aligned on our objective of raising the level of esports to the level of other varsity sports in schools. Together, we hope to create the infrastructure needed for students to responsibly pursue their passions in the exciting industry of esports and gaming. The Philippines’ best professional teams of the future will come from the current youth.” said YEP Director Marlon “Lon” Marcelo.

The Youth Esports Program is a collaboration between Mineski Philippines and the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) to develop future esports talent in the country through students. It aims to establish a coalition of student esports orgs in campuses across the country as accredited YEP chapters, and support student esports initiatives through career opportunities, event support, esports skills development and more. The Youth Esports Program promotes esports as a healthy, responsible, and legitimate extra-curricular activity for the country’s youth.

Schools and student organizations interested in partnering with the Youth Esports Program may email them at yep@mineski.net or message them on Facebook at facebook.com/youthesportsprogram.