May 1, 2005

Pokémon and US Youth Soccer Team Up to Launch Scholarship Contest
Pokémon Named Official Youth Entertainment Sponsor for 2005

Quick! Name two of the most popular ways that kids spend their free time. If you said playing soccer and video games, you’d be correct, and today, US Youth Soccer and Pokémon USA, Inc. seek to encourage kids’ interests by proudly announcing “Pokémon US Youth Soccer All-Stars,” a scholarship contest that recognizes US Youth Soccer players for their achievements on and off the field. In addition, US Youth Soccer, the country’s largest youth sports organization with over 3 million members, has named Pokémon, a market leader in the video game, children’s TV, trading card game and toy categories, not to mention an instantly recognizable property, the official “Youth Entertainment Sponsor” for 2005.

Because the two properties share a number of core values – teamwork, friendship, good sportsmanship and strategic skills – the US Youth Soccer and Pokémon partnership is a natural fit and will resonate with kids who, in many cases, are mutual fans. US Youth Soccer: The Game for All Kids!® and Pokémon both encourage kids to have fun while they put their best foot forward. Likewise, teamwork is the basis for success on the soccer field and when it comes to playing Pokémon® games.

“We’re so thrilled to be working with US Youth Soccer,” said Akira Chiba, President of Pokémon USA, Inc. “Because we share so many of the same values – team work, friendship and good sportsmanship -- we know Pokémon and US Youth Soccer will make a great team.”

Pokémon US Youth Soccer All-Stars seeks to reward US Youth Soccer members who demonstrate these core values, with the opportunity to win scholarships. Kids apply by submitting essays which describe how they embody the shared values of the program; unlike most other team sports awards, the qualifications for All-Stars are not solely based on athletic skill, grades or finances. Parents and coaches, participate by nominating the kids they feel epitomize these mutual values. In addition to the All-Stars program – applications will be accepted beginning this summer – Pokémon will have a presence at approximately 20 Kohl’s US Youth Soccer American Cup events, a nationwide recreational soccer program.

“We’re very excited about welcoming a global brand such as Pokémon to the US Youth Soccer family,” said David Messersmith, President of US Youth Soccer. “By creating the Pokémon US Youth Soccer All-Stars program, Pokémon has demonstrated their commitment to providing incentives to our players that reach beyond the playing field, reinforcing the fact that there are benefits beyond winning to playing this great game.”

Pokémon fans can look forward to new games this year, including Pokémon® Dash for Nintendo DS™ and Pokémon® Emerald for Nintendo’s Game Boy® Advance SP. Over 130 million Pokémon video games have been sold worldwide; 40 million in the U.S. alone, with Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen being the #1 and #2 selling titles for Game Boy Advance in 2004. In addition, there’ll be four new trading card game expansion sets in 2005, and viewers of the animated TV series, now in its seventh season, can anticipate new episodes of Pokémon: Advanced Challenge which airs on Kids’ WB!

US Youth Soccer is preparing for another exciting summer with the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and Youth Soccer Month. The 2005 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing approximately 129,000 players on 7,200 teams the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. US Youth Soccer invites everyone to join them in celebrating September as the Third Annual “Youth Soccer Month.” Youth Soccer Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits attributed to playing youth soccer in America.

For more information visit www.USYouthSoccer.org or www.pokemon.com.