Senegal women's basketball team cancels US training camp after some players have visas denied
The Senegal women's basketball team has had to cancel a training camp it had scheduled in the United States after some members of its squad had their visas denied, the country's prime minister said on Thursday.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko wrote on Facebook that the 10-day training camp – which was due to be held at a college in the US between June 22 to July 3 – will instead take place in Senegal's capital, Dakar, 'a sovereign setting that is conducive to the performance of our athletes' after 'several' players had their visas denied.
'We clearly and firmly reaffirm our new cooperation doctrine: free, balanced cooperation based on mutual respect and shared benefit,' Sonko wrote in his post.
In a statement posted on Instagram from the Senegalese basketball federation, the governing body said that two representatives of the federation, a doctor, a physiotherapist, five players, a steward, the general manager and the ministerial delegate were refused visas by the ambassador of the United States to Senegal.
No reason was given as to why the visas were denied.
A State Department spokesperson told CNN Sports that due to the confidential nature of US visas, it couldn't comment on individual cases.
CNN Sports has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced a travel ban for 12 countries, which restricts entry of nationals from Afghanistan; Myanmar, also known as Burma; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen.
People from seven countries have a partial restriction: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
In the president's initial proclamation, there are exceptions for athletes, coaches, important staffers and immediate family for athletes traveling to the US for the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics Games and 'other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.'
The news comes amid reports that Trump is weighing up adding a further 36 countries to the banned list, 25 of which are set to come from Africa, including Senegal.
The Senegalese team is the dominant force in African women's basketball, having won 11 FIBA Women's AfroBasket titles, the most of any country.
However, the Lionesses have failed to reach those heights in recent years having last been victorious in 2015, finishing second three times since then.
The camp in the US was in preparation for next installment of the biennial tournament which will be played between July 26 and August 3 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
44 minutes ago
- News24
Ramaphosa urges renewed commitment to constitutionalism at 30th anniversary of Constitutional Court
President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for continued recognition of the Constitutional Court's role in upholding democracy. He noted the gap between the Constitution's promises and the daily struggles of many South Africans, especially regarding basic service delivery. Ramaphosa confirmed steps to ensure judicial independence, including giving the judiciary control over its own budget and operations. As the country marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all sectors of South African society to recommit to the principles of constitutionalism. Speaking at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on Friday, Ramaphosa said the occasion was not only a celebration, but also an opportunity for reflection and renewed purpose. READ: Families of apartheid victims launch R167m constitutional legal action against government for justice failures 'The Constitutional Court was established as a bold response to a painful past, a past in which the law was used to exclude, repress and divide,' Ramaphosa said. 'Thirty years later, this institution continues to serve as a cornerstone of our democracy.' He paid tribute to the founding justices and legal professionals who had helped shape the court's jurisprudence in its formative years. Reflecting on the symbolism of the court's location on the site of an apartheid-era prison and military fort, Ramaphosa said the institution represented a transformation of justice in South Africa. This building, once a place of suffering, now houses a court that upholds dignity, equality and freedom. Cyril Ramaphosa Ramaphosa recalled his role as chair of the Constitutional Assembly when the Constitution was adopted in 1996. He likened the document to a birth certificate for the nation, affirming its identity, legitimacy and access to rights. Without it, he said, the country would be 'cast adrift and vulnerable to the excesses of unchecked power'. The president acknowledged the court's legacy in shaping democratic life and delivering key judgments on housing, healthcare and equality. He highlighted landmark rulings such as the abolition of the death penalty in S v Makwanyane, the right to housing in the Government of the Republic of South Africa v Grootboom, and access to HIV treatment in Minister of Health v Treatment Action Campaign. These were not just legal decisions; they changed lives and contributed to building a more inclusive society. Ramaphosa The president was candid about the continuing challenges facing constitutionalism in South Africa. He pointed to the gap between the rights promised in the Constitution and the lived reality of many citizens, citing persistent inequality, service delivery failures and delays in the implementation of court orders. 'The irony of praising judgments that affirm socioeconomic rights, while the state must be compelled to fulfil them, is not lost on us,' he said. 'People should not have to go to court to access basic services.' He noted that, while the judiciary had remained largely resilient in the face of political and societal pressures, systemic challenges continued to affect its ability to function effectively. The Constitutional Court, in particular, has faced mounting caseloads since its jurisdiction was expanded in 2013 to include matters of general public importance. In response, Ramaphosa announced progress in addressing judicial independence and institutional support. He confirmed that the judiciary would soon enjoy full independence, with control over its own budget and administration – a long-standing concern among legal stakeholders. 'This anomaly in our constitutional architecture is being resolved,' he said. The judiciary will now stand as an equal branch of the state, alongside the executive and the legislature. Ramaphosa Budget allocations for 2024/25 have included funding for court services and judicial training, and to fill vacancies. Ramaphosa reaffirmed government's commitment to supporting the judiciary through infrastructural, financial and administrative means. He also acknowledged the role of civil society, legal practitioners and the public in upholding the rule of law. 'The court derives its legitimacy from the public's confidence in the justice system.' Ramaphosa concluded by urging all South Africans to ensure that the values enshrined in the Constitution continued to define the country's national identity. 'As we look to the next 30 years, we must ensure that the Constitutional Court remains a living institution, principled, responsive and rooted in human dignity.' He paid tribute to former president Nelson Mandela, who inaugurated the court in 1995, saying: 'He would be proud that this institution continues to serve the people with strength and integrity.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NBA star Durant takes minority PSG stake
Kevin Durant, who won gold in the Paris 2024 basketball, has taken a stake in the city's best-known football club Paris Saint-Germain (Aris MESSINIS) Basketball star Kevin Durant has taken a minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions announced Friday, without saying how many shares the power forward had acquired. The club said in a statement that owners Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) had "signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Kevin Durant, one of the most decorated US basketball players of all time and a leading investor in sports and entertainment properties." Advertisement It said Durant would acquire the stake "via his media and investment arm Boardroom". The club said QSI would cooperate with Boardroom "on a wide-series of commercial, investment, and content initiatives" including merchandise, media content US and international strategy and "potential Basketball/Multi-Sport expansion." "With Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of QSI. Durant, 36, is a power forward with the Phoenix Suns. He won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and has four Olympic gold medals, the last from the 2024 Paris Games. Advertisement He said in the PSG statement that PSG and Paris were "a Club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead, and I can't wait to be a part of the next phase of growth." eba/pb/pi
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
"When you start endangering people's health, it's taking away from the beauty of the game" - Michael Jordan criticized how the Pistons and the Knicks played the game
"When you start endangering people's health, it's taking away from the beauty of the game" - Michael Jordan criticized how the Pistons and the Knicks played the game originally appeared on Basketball Network. By the early '90s, Michael Jordan was already a household name in the greatest basketball league in the world, but his road to the top wasn't paved with flowers and open lanes to the bucket. Advertisement Back then, the NBA was a war zone, especially if you tried to make a living attacking the rim. During a 1993 interview with Larry King, MJ broke down just how brutal the game had become and why, despite the chaos, he never backed down. It wasn't just basketball; it was survival of the fittest. "I think it's part of the game, but I think when you start endangering people's health, it's taking away from the beauty of the game. I think the game should be played hard, but you should show sportsmanship, I think you should not show hatred or anger to the other people. I don't think anyone should be afraid of going to the hole and a lot of guys are getting to that point where they are afraid of going to the hole," Jordan disclosed in his first post-retirement interview. Detroit started the overly physical trend When the Detroit Pistons created the infamous "Jordan Rules," they didn't try to hide their approach and intent to hurt Mike. They were going to hit him, shove him, drag him to the ground — anything to break his rhythm and get in his head. And for a while, it worked. Jordan kept getting bounced out of the playoffs, outmuscled and outnumbered by the Bad Boys team that played with "bad intentions" and zero apologies. Advertisement But His Airness didn't flinch. He bulked up, adjusted his game, and leaned into the contact instead of avoiding it. He saw the hits coming and still took flight. "No! Never! I mean I had to live that way, that's how I make the living," the six-time Champ replied in a typical Jordan-esque way when asked if he was afraid of bruising his way to the rim. That's what separated him. While many feared the consequences of entering the paint against those Detroit teams, Jordan welcomed it. That stretch of beatdowns didn't scare him off; it just made him better. MJ got stronger, both physically and mentally. Once the Chicago Bulls finally got past their arch-nemesis in 1991, the floodgates opened and what followed was a pure show of basketball domination. Related: "I don't think I should defend myself anymore, I'm done with that in my life" - Allen Iverson on why he's had enough trying to defend his public image The Knicks wanted to emulate that same physicality Detroit wasn't the only team playing demolition ball. The New York Knicks soon adopted a similar playbook. Heck, even Jordan himself acknowledged that the squad from the Big Apple tried to copy Bad Boys the most. Advertisement Pat Riley's Knicks were bigger, stronger and sometimes even dirtier. Whether it was Charles Oakley, Xavier McDaniel or John Starks, everyone had the green light to take a shot — literally and figuratively — at MJ anytime he stepped into the lane. "What was happening was, because of the Detroit Pistons and the way they won, a lot of teams were trying to use that brutal type of play — the physical play. The Knicks were one of those teams who were built on intimidation, players who tried to physically demean you or make you scared of them," the legendary Bulls guard once said. Jordan never let the bruises change his approach or style. That would've meant he was beaten and if there's one thing we know about Mr. Air, it's the fact that he never wanted to lose at anything. So, he embraced the chaos, elevated through it and built a legacy on defying fear. The hits kept coming, but so did the buckets. In the end, greatness always found a way through the pain. Even though he might not have liked it at first, it made him who he is. Advertisement Related: "I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature" - Michael Jordan on why he can't get himself to be a fan of any one player in the NBA This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
