Petra launches MODEC Tertiary Education Football Tournament

Jan 21, 2026 Sports

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– Opening new pathway for student-athletes

Kaieteur Sports – The landscape of football development in Guyana took a major step forward on Tuesday with the official launch of the inaugural MODEC Tertiary Education Football Tournament, spearheaded by the Petra Organisation in partnership with MODEC (Guyana). The launch was hosted at the Pegasus Corporate Tower and marked the introduction of a long-awaited competitive platform for post-secondary student-athletes.

MODEC, a global leader in providing solutions for the floating offshore oil and gas market with over 50 years of experience and operations in more than 15 countries, has aligned with Petra to support the holistic development of football and education in Guyana. The partnership is expected to elevate grassroots football by extending structured competition beyond secondary school, an area where many promising talents were previously lost.

For years, it has been widely felt that football opportunities diminish once players leave secondary education and transition into higher learning or the workforce. This new tournament directly addresses that gap, offering student footballers a renewed chance to showcase their abilities during what many consider the “post-secondary” years. By bridging education and sport, the initiative creates a vital pathway for young players aspiring to transition into the senior ranks.

The tournament will run from February 8 to March 8, featuring fourteen tertiary and higher education institutions competing in a home-and-away format.

Participating institutions include: University of Guyana (Turkeyen Campus), University of Guyana Tain Campus, Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Government Technical Institute (GTI), Linden Technical Institute (LTI), Port Mourant Technical Institute (PMTI), New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), Mahaicony Technical Institute (MTI), Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), Upper Corentyne Technical Training Centre (UCTTC), Texila American University (TAU), Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre (LT&VTC), and the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC).

These institutions will battle for supremacy while promoting skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and lasting friendships among students.

The Petra Organisation, long recognised for its investment in grassroots football at the Under-11, Under-14, and Under-18 levels, has now added another crucial tier to its development structure. For the first time, students who perhaps are not attached to senior clubs will have access to a safe, organised, and competitive football environment at the tertiary level.

Speaking at the launch, Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca described the tournament as the final piece in the student-athlete development pathway.

“For years, the Petra Organisation ecosystem has been defined by competitions at the primary and secondary school levels, including Under-11, Under-14, and Under-18 tournaments, as well as an international Under-18 event,” Mendonca explained.

“The introduction of the MODEC Tertiary Education Football Tournament completes this pathway, ensuring talented young footballers have continuous opportunities to compete throughout their educational journey.”

Mendonca also highlighted the added benefit for participating institutions, noting that sporting success enhances institutional pride, visibility, and positivity.

Representing MODEC Guyana, Country Manager Rafael Fumis shared his personal passion for the sport. “Football is very close to my heart. Being Brazilian, football is very dear to me,” Fumis said. “One of MODEC’s core values is empowerment, and there is nothing better than education and sport to empower people and communities to develop and grow. When we saw the impact Petra has already made and learned that 14 institutions were involved, it was an easy decision to come on board.”

Fumis also commended the Petra Organisation for its consistent work in youth development, noting that this investment signals the beginning of a long-term commitment.

The launch attracted several key stakeholders, including Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical) from the Ministry of Education; Joao Soares, Technical Manager of MODEC; Nicolas Fraser, Head of the Allied Arts Units at the Ministry of Education; and many other invited guests.

With the launch now complete, the Petra Organisation turns its focus to hosting its first tournament of the 2026 season. Beyond competition, the MODEC Tertiary Education Football Tournament promises to provide a structured and positive environment for post-secondary students to interact meaningfully, compete responsibly, and build relationships that transcend the pitch.

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• MODEC, Petra, Petra Organisation, Tertiary Education Football Tournament

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