Senegal's women's basketball team becomes first sports casualty of Trump's visa ban
The visa ban come amid the rollout of a broader immigration policy by the Trump administration, which is reportedly considering restrictions on up to 36 additional countries, many of them in Africa, including Senegal, whose female basketball team was denied entry to the U.S. for an international tournament.
Incidentally, Senegal was among the 25 African countries listed in a recent memo outlining nations that could potentially be added to the next phase of President Trump's expanded travel ban.
Although the restrictions have not yet been formally enforced, the inclusion of such a large number of African countries raises concerns that the final list may ultimately target the continent on a much broader scale
The policy, framed as a national security measure, targets countries allegedly lacking adequate passport controls, deportation cooperation, or security vetting systems. It has drawn widespread international criticism for its sweeping scope and potential discriminatory effects.
According to the BBC, five Senegalese players and 13 team officials were denied visas as they prepared to join teammates and their coach who had already arrived in the U.S. The training camp was intended as a warm-up for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament, scheduled to take place in Côte d'Ivoire next month.
The incident marks a significant moment in the fallout of the Trump administration's immigration strategy, as it extends beyond traditional visa categories to affect international sporting participation.
Senegalese government responds
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced the cancellation of the planned training camp in the United States for the national women's basketball team after several members were denied entry visas.
The decision marks a clear diplomatic response to what Senegal views as discriminatory treatment under President Donald Trump's expanded visa restrictions.
"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 in a statement.
According to the Prime Minister, the team will now conduct its preparations in Dakar, which he described as a " sovereign and conducive setting."
The move signals Senegal's rejection of a policy it sees as unjust, particularly as the team becomes the first high-profile African sports delegation directly affected by the new U.S. visa rules.
The visa denials not only disrupt the team's preparations for the upcoming 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Côte d'Ivoire but also raise broader concerns about the unintended consequences of immigration policies on international sports and cultural exchange.
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