Senegal's Basketball Team Training in the US Scrapped Amid Visa Issues

Senegal's Prime Minister has announced the cancellation of the women's basketball team's US training after several squad members were denied visas, coinciding with growing US travel restrictions on African nations.

A preparatory training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team scheduled in the United States has been abruptly cancelled. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko disclosed the decision following the denial of visas for some athletes, insisting that the team would pivot to training in the capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting." This development surfaces as the US government appears poised to enforce fresh travel restrictions impacting 25 African nations, Senegal included.

Earlier this month, the US imposed bans on citizens from 12 countries, seven of which are in Africa, along with partial travel limitations on another seven, three of which are also African nations. The reasons behind the visa denials for the Senegalese players remain unclear, and the US Embassy has not commented publicly on the matter.

Expressing his discontent on social media, Sonko stated, "Upon learning about the refusal of visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have directed the Ministry of Sports to cancel the ten-day preparatory training initially planned in the USA." Reports indicate that five players and 13 officials were meant to join other team members and their coach already training in the US for the upcoming 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Ivory Coast.

These refusals raise eyebrows, especially against the backdrop of a leaked diplomatic cable suggesting targeted countries have 60 days to address US concerns, which include visa overstays, cooperation with deportations, and links to terrorism or anti-American activity. In response, Senegal's foreign ministry has advised its citizens to adhere to their permitted stay periods in the US, while omitting any mention of Senegal's status regarding the latest restrictions.

Additionally, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar warned that expanded travel bans could hinder potential energy and rare earth mineral agreements between West African nations and the US, with the Trump administration citing national security and visa overstay rates as primary concerns driving these measures.