[A/The] Competition between English and French languages has been fostering the national antagonisms in Canada.

Hello.

Please let's have a look at the following sentences. The intended meaning is first mention of this fact.

1) A competition between English and French languages has been fostering the national antagonisms in Canada.
2) The competition between English and French languages has been fostering the national antagonisms in Canada.
3) Competition between English and French languages has been fostering the national antagonisms in Canada.

Which of them is grammatically correct? Which one sounds the most natural?

My understanding is as follows:

#1: This could be okay because this is first mention, but I think that 'competition' is uncountable in this context.
#2: This might be okay because 'competition' is explained in the following part, which may justify using 'the'.
#3: This might be okay because it is first mention, but the question is whether #2 is not better (if 'competition' is sufficiently specified).