THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) yesterday issued parallel statements distancing themselves from the Halendino Sports Company and its proposed January 23–24 ‘trials’ for football and basketball players. Listed as one of the supporters of the initiative, in a short release, the Ministry said they are in no way affiliated or supporting the Halendino Sports Company or event. Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was the first to condemn and issued a statement of ‘no sanction’ for the event which will be led by Guyana Prison Service Cadet Officer, Khalifa Hale; while GABF, similarly has not approved or sanctioned the event and as such, registered members of the Federations are not authorised to participate. While the Sport Ministry stopped short by saying they are in no way affiliated, the two Federations took it a step further and warned of punitive action if any registered player or official should participate in the unsanctioned activity. (Rawle Toney)