This is the full text of Events DC's 06/28/2017 press release.

Partnership with the Boys & Girls Club Reinforce DC’s Commitment to Building Community Through Sports

WASHINGTON, DC – June 28, 2017 – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia will partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington and the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis to host their first-ever esports tournament. Participating youth from both Boys & Girls Clubs will compete in a six-week single elimination bracket-style tournament featuring Madden NBA 17 (Electronic Arts) and NBA 2K17 (Take Two Interactive). The tournament will kick off on June 29 at 12:30 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Annapolis and will culminate for the Championship on August 5 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s “SAAM Arcade” event at 2:00 p.m.

“While we are known for our work in conventions and meetings, sports and entertainment, and special events, Events DC is deeply committed to our community and this partnership with the Boys and Girls Club is a prime example,” said Max Brown, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Events DC. “This tournament represents an important component of Events DC’s esports initiative to drive an ecosystem of future opportunities that include the creation of jobs, youth development, as well as new events to Washington, DC.”

As part of its broader mission, Events DC is dedicated to providing community benefits for residents and enriching the lives of youth across the District. The goal of the esports youth tournament with the Boys and Girls Clubs are to not only serve but to connect the local gaming community by investing in DC youth-based programming and to support DC as an esports destination, while acting as a catalyst for economic development. The youth-focused tournaments are designed to further hone and promote life skills of leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills for the betterment of our city’s next generation.

“Events DC is dedicated to serving and supporting the local video game community by investing in and sponsoring regional tournaments,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “When we think about what makes the District a world-class city, we envision the city’s blend of sports, culture and events that can’t be found anywhere else – similar to this budding esports initiative. We look forward to future engagement with even more youth-based organizations, local colleges and universities to further promote and grow the video game community.”

“Our partnership with Events DC means that the amazing youth we serve get to access the kind of cutting-edge technology and out-of-the-box opportunities that make the greatest of impacts in their lives. Through the power of esports, teens further develop their cognitive skills allowing them to take even more ownership of their paths. This is about more than a game, it’s about life,” said LeVar A. Jones, Teen Program Director, FBR Branch, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.

Participants will receive specialized team jerseys designed by 4point4, a sportswear company specializing in performance apparel that donates 4.4% of every purchase to nonprofits.

This event represents an additional milestone in Events DC’s strategic approach to building an esports capital in Washington, DC as an opportunity to attract future visitors, residents, tournaments and economic prosperity to the city.

Follow us on Twitter for updates and watch the championship tournament live on Twitch.tv/EventsDC.