During late 2003, [http://mena-yugioh.2ya.com Justin E. Bishop] had gotten an idea about opening a Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament at a Jansen Park, due to Yu-Gi-Oh!'s vast popularity. The Tournament was held on October 19th, 2003. Originally thought to be a one day, or short lived project, Justin swiftly recruited Stephan Edwards & Nicholas Worth, two close friends, as staff members. Justin became the tournament owner, Nicholas, the commissioner, and Stephan, the referee. Nicholas also acted as their webmaster, launching the Tournaments official website on January 20th, 2004. Though many arguements arose, the three friends managed to keep everything together, and thus, the [http://mena-yugioh.2ya.com Mena Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament(MYT)] was born. Being held on Sunday, October 19th, 2003, and going over as a huge success, with crowds gathering at Jansen park, the three soon had to over come their first obstacle, the weather.

Holding the event outside was fine during the fall, but as winter approached, they had to think quick. They turned to Rick's Primetime(A local Restaurant), just up the street. The staff were, somewhat reluctant, but allowed for the tournament to be held in their place of business, until another location could be found. However, with the tournament bringing in large crowds every Sunday afternoon, Rick's Primetime(Now "Really Great Pizza"), became the tournaments permanent location.

The tournaments staff was often unstable, changing ownership, second in command, and replacing staff members often, with each of the three friends, Justin, Stephan, & Nicholas all, at one point in time, holding the top staff position. This was due in part to the constant relocation of staff members, personal problems, and multiple other unavoidable problems that arose. As of Christmas 2005, [http://mena-yugioh.2ya.com Mena Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament] had over one-hundred duelists who had at one point, entered the tournament.

In early 2006, Nicholas, then owner, was growing tired of the constant stress & responsibility, and by summer of 2006, it was decided that the MYT, would have its last tournament. He reverted the staff back into their late 2003 order, with Justin acting once more as owner, placing himself as commissioner, and Stephan as referee once again. And thus, the Grand Championship Tournament began. The entry required that duelists had won at least first or second in a weekly tournament, or first through fourth in a larger scale event. The best duelists from the past years attended, and in the end, Nicholas Worth picked up his first large scale win, and took first place, with Justin coming in fifth, and Stephan sixth.

The MYT closed down on August 7th, 2006, but then turned to a "Semi retired" state, holding tournaments once a month, to get together with the old crowd. On what is an odd coincidence, on October 19th(The day of the original first tournament), 2006, Nicholas Worth announced that the Mena Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament would be, on December 19th-20th, 2006, be holding a Charity Event, consisting of video game tournaments, arm wrestling competitions, raffles, Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournaments(Naturally), and much more, with all 100% of the proceeds going to the Arkansas Children's Hospital. The Event raised $126.75 for the Hospital.

After the large success of the Charity Event, the MYT branched out, and along with holding Reunion Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournaments, also began holding Video Game Tournaments, with many donating to local Organizations, most notably, the Junior & Ouachita Little Theatre Organizations.

On May 9th, 2007, the Mena Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament OFFICIALLY changed its name to the Mena Gaming Association.

On December 15th-16th, 2008, the Mena Gaming Association held their 2nd Annual Christmas Charity Event, this time, raising $115.32 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The MGA has had over 250 different people attend Tournaments/Events over the past years, and are very thankful for all of their support.

On October 19th, 2008, the Mena Gaming Association will have been around in some capacity for the past 5 years, and will be celebrating their 5th Anniversary where it all began, Jansen Park.