The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) and the East Asian Youth Games Organising Committee (EAYGOC).

Speaking about the partnership AESF President Kenneth Fok said: "We thank the East Asian Youth Games Organising Committee and Mongolia National Olympic Council for the support and decision to include esports as one of the official medal sports.

"I believe that we are now making great strides in paving a way for our youth and future generations to learn and grow with esports at an international Olympic event.

"AESF will always ensure that esports programme at Youth Games can play a role as an education platform as well as a competition platform."

The MoU was signed by AESF director general Sebastian Lau and EAYGOC executive director Buyandelger Peljee.

"Under the rules of the East Asian Youth Games, the host country offers two or three types of sports," said Peljee.

"Accordingly our Organising Committee has proposed the inclusion of esports, and we are very grateful for the vital support of the East Asian Olympic Council.

"The reason why this sport was chosen is that it is a new type of sport, which is rapidly growing and developing among children and youths in this age of technology.

"We believe that our Games will contribute to the positive promotion of esports in society."

Esports has a track record of inclusion at multi-sport events in Asia, including the 2017 and 2021 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the 2018 Asian Games and the 2019 and 2021 South East Asian Games.

Esports is set to feature as a medal event at the delayed Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, now scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8 2023.

The 2023 East Asian Youth Games are due to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 16 to 23, with more than 1,500 athletes scheduled to compete.