UG, GFF forge “historic” alliance with MoU signing

The University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Tuesday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will reportedly place young people at the centre of national football development, a missive from the Federation indicated.

The agreement establishes a formal link between higher education and a sector that is increasingly being recognised for its cultural significance and its economic and professional potential. In Guyana, football is steadily transitioning from a pastime to a developing sport industry with specialised careers emerging in management, media, analytics, operations, coaching, events and digital engagement. The partnership acknowledges this shift and prepares young women and men to participate in the industry.
For students, especially those studying management, media, business and the social sciences, the collaboration represents access to an industry that has grown significantly in recent years.
One of the first outcomes of the agreement will be the placement of four UG students as interns at the GFF in 2026. These student interns, comprising young women and men, will work alongside the GFF’s administrative and technical departments. The programme is expected to give them exposure to sport management, digital media, data analysis, operations and other areas that have traditionally been difficult to access in Guyana.
Speaking after the signing, UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin pointed to both the educational value of the partnership and the cultural resonance of football in Guyana.

“Working with the Federation, I think, it’s going to be really significant in terms of not only creating a live link between the University’s student body and the Federation, but also [with] the University and our programmes going forward… outside of my own personal love for the game, I know this is a big, big game in Guyana…”
GFF Vice President Dion Inniss underscored the international scale of the football industry and what it means for Guyanese youth:
“This partnership positions young Guyanese to enter that global ecosystem with confidence.”
GFF President Wayne Forde described the signing as both historic and strategically important for football governance in Guyana:
“This Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant and historic step in the Guyana Football Federation’s commitment to institutional development and capacity building. We are deeply honoured to collaborate with the nation’s most prestigious tertiary institution, on an initiative that meaningfully bridges academic learning and practical application.
“On behalf of the GFF Council, I extend sincere appreciation to Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin and her leadership team for embracing our proposal and recognising its long-term value and potential. This internship programme will provide students with structured exposure to the operational realities of football administration, allowing them to apply their academic training across key operational areas including finance, logistics, project management, marketing, communications and technical development.
“We are confident that this partnership will be mutually enriching, fostering shared learning between the University’s students and our administrative team, while strengthening the overall football ecosystem in Guyana. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the first cohort of interns in the coming weeks.”
Present at the signing were Vice Chancellor Mohamed Martin, GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay, UG Sports Director Osafa Dos Santos, Junior Alumni Relations Officer Kristoff Shepperd, Assistant Registrar Karen Wills, International Student Support Officer Denise Garraway, and GFF intern and student-athlete Leonardo John.
The internship initiative is expected to be the first of several joint programmes. Both sides say they hope it will eventually broaden into research, training, student engagement, and community partnerships.
The MoU is effective immediately and will guide collaboration throughout 2026 and beyond, giving hope to students, support to educators, momentum to football governance, and meaningful opportunities for corporate, community and national growth.