A training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team in the US has been scrapped, with the West African nation's prime minister saying he cancelled it because some of the squad were denied US visas. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said the team would now train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting". It comes amidreports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including Senegal. Earlier this month the US announceda ban on citizens from 12 countries, including seven from Africa. There were also partial travel restrictions on nationals from a further seven countries, with three from Africa. It remains unclear why the Senegalese athletes were denied visas, as the US Embassy is yet to publicly comment on the matter. "Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the ten-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America," Sonko said on Thursday in a statement shared to social media. Reports say five Senegalese basketball players and 13 team officials were travelling to meet other members of the squad and their coach who were already in the US, to warm up for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Ivory Coast next month. But their visa applications were not approved. Senegal has one of the best women's basketball teams in Africa - consistently reaching the final four in AfroBasket tournaments and boasting players from top leagues in the US, Europe and Egypt. The visa refusals are raising eyebrows because, according to the recently leaked diplomatic cable containing details of the extended travel restrictions, targeted countries were given up to 60 days to address the concerns raised by the US. These reportedly include people overstaying their visas, lack of co-operation with deportations, links to terror attacks in the US, antisemitism or anti-American activity. Following the reported new travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry urged nationals to comply with their permitted periods of stay in the US. Although it did not directly comment on Senegal's possible inclusion in the latest list of restricted countries, the government statement underscored that diplomatic and consular services were working in close collaboration with the US administration. Meanwhile, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar said the expanded travel bans could impede possible energy and rare earth mineral deals which West African countries can offer the US. The Trump administration insists national security concerns and the high rate of visa overstays from some countries must be addressed. Go toBBCAfrica.comfor more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter@BBCAfrica, on Facebook atBBC Africaor on Instagram atbbcafrica
US basketball training for Senegal cancelled after visas rejected
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"Senegal Cancels Women's Basketball Training in US Due to Visa Denials"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The planned training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team in the United States has been cancelled following the denial of US visas for several team members. Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced the cancellation, stating that the team would now conduct their preparations in Dakar, which he described as a 'sovereign and conducive setting.' This decision comes amid broader concerns regarding new US travel restrictions that may affect 25 additional African nations, including Senegal. Earlier this month, the US had already imposed a ban on citizens from 12 countries and introduced partial travel restrictions for nationals from another seven countries. The reasons behind the visa denials for the Senegalese athletes remain unclear, as the US Embassy has not provided any public comments on the issue. The cancellation of the training session is particularly significant as the team was set to prepare for the upcoming Women's AfroBasket tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast next month.
Senegal boasts a strong women's basketball team, consistently performing well in continental competitions. The squad includes players from prestigious leagues across the US, Europe, and Egypt. The rejection of their visa applications has raised questions, especially in light of a leaked diplomatic cable that suggested targeted countries were given a period of up to 60 days to address specific concerns raised by the US. These concerns include issues such as visa overstays, lack of cooperation with deportation processes, and links to terrorism or anti-American activities. In response to the expanded travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry has urged its nationals to adhere to the permitted durations of their stays in the US. Although the ministry has not explicitly commented on Senegal's potential inclusion in the new restriction list, it has emphasized the importance of diplomatic cooperation with US authorities. Additionally, Nigeria's Foreign Minister has voiced concerns that these travel bans could hinder prospective energy and rare earth mineral agreements that West African countries might offer to the US. The Trump administration has maintained that addressing national security issues and high rates of visa overstays from certain nations is essential.
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