Senegal’s preparations for the upcoming Afrobasket 2025 tournament have been disrupted following a controversial U.S. visa denial affecting several members of the national women’s basketball team. The decision has prompted Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to cancel the team’s planned training camp in the United States.
According to government sources, U.S. authorities approved travel only for athletes who already held valid visas, rejecting all new applications submitted by team members and staff. In response, Prime Minister Sonko sharply criticized the move, calling it “unjust and disrespectful to Senegalese sport and international cooperation.”
“The refusal to grant entry to our athletes undermines the principles of fair competition and the spirit of sports diplomacy,” Sonko said in a statement released Friday. “As a sovereign nation, we will not accept such treatment of our representatives.”
Following the visa denials, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Sports to cancel the planned U.S. training program and explore alternative options. He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for stepping in to support Senegalese athletes.
“I thank our partners in China for offering scholarships and training opportunities for our national teams,” Sonko added. “Their solidarity ensures that our athletes will continue to prepare under high-level conditions, despite these challenges.”
The Senegalese Basketball Federation has not yet announced where the team will now hold its final preparations ahead of the continental tournament, set to take place later this year.
Senegal is considered one of the top contenders in African women’s basketball and will be looking to reclaim the Afrobasket title, which they last won in 2015.
By Faith Mwende
