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Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
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.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
No basketball training in US for Senegal after team's visas rejected
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 amid reports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including Senegal. Earlier this month the US announced a 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. Chad halts US visas in revenge for Trump travel ban Trump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pact 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, anti-semitism 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. Additional reporting by Natasha Booty Why Baye Fall Muslims worship through work and community Born in France but searching for a future in Africa Senegal starts producing oil as president promises benefits Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Senegal women's basketball training in US cancelled after visas rejected
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 Minister Ousmane Sonko said the team would now train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting".It comes amid reports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including this month the US announced a 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 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 halts US visas in revenge for Trump travel banTrump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pactThe 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 reportedly include people overstaying their visas, lack of co-operation with deportations, links to terror attacks in the US, anti-semitism or anti-American the reported new travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry urged nationals to comply with their permitted periods of stay in the 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 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 reporting by Natasha Booty More BBC stories about Senegal: Why Baye Fall Muslims worship through work and communityBorn in France but searching for a future in AfricaSenegal starts producing oil as president promises benefits Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Chicago Sky Appoint FIBA's Best Coach Of The Tournament At Paris 2024, Nigeria's Head Coach Rena Wakama As Assistant Coach
The Chicago Sky have made a significant move by adding Rena Wakama to their coaching staff as an assistant coach under Head Coach Tyler Marsh. This appointment not only brings international expertise to the team but also demonstrates the Sky's commitment to incorporating diverse coaching backgrounds to enhance their performance on the court. Rena Wakama's coaching journey is truly inspirational. In June 2023, she became the first female head coach of Nigeria's D'Tigress. Under her visionary leadership, the team achieved its fourth consecutive AfroBasket title, marking a historic milestone in her career. Her tenure reached a new peak at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she led the D'Tigress to a remarkable quarterfinal appearance—making history as the first African team to reach this stage in Olympic basketball. A standout moment of that campaign was a convincing 75-62 victory over Australia, showcasing her ability to coach teams that exceed expectations. Following her success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wakama shared her coaching philosophy in an interview with At its core is a commitment to meticulous preparation. As she stated, "there's pressure everywhere—to perform, to succeed." This mindset was cultivated early in her career through the guiding principle of the "five P's": prior preparation prevents poor performance. By consistently putting herself in challenging situations, Wakama ensures she is always ready to seize opportunities and overcome obstacles. This disciplined and proactive approach, honed on the international stage, is set to foster a culture of resilience and readiness within the Chicago Sky. Before her groundbreaking achievements with Nigeria, Wakama honed her skills in player development and team management as the director of women's basketball operations at Manhattan College. This collegiate experience provided her with a robust foundation in nurturing emerging talent. Her expertise is expected to be invaluable for the Sky, particularly in developing promising young players like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. With her proven track record of transforming potential into performance, Wakama is well-positioned to help these athletes elevate their games. The Sky's recent offseason has been characterized by strategic roster overhauls aimed at building a championship-caliber team. The inclusion of seasoned professionals—such as Ariel Atkins, whose All-Star credentials and defensive prowess add depth, and Courtney Vandersloot, a veteran playmaker known for her record-setting assists—works perfectly alongside the infusion of fresh talent. This blend of experience and emerging skill, combined with Wakama's innovative coaching approach, positions the Chicago Sky as formidable contenders in the upcoming season. Wakama's philosophy of thorough preparation and strategic resilience aligns seamlessly with the Sky's mission to build a disciplined, future-ready team. As the Sky integrate international expertise with innovative strategies, they are in a prime position to elevate their performance in the upcoming WNBA season.
Al-Ahram Weekly
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt basketball books African ticket - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's national basketball team has secured a place in the 2025 African Men's Championship after earning their qualification through the AfroBasket qualifiers held in Madagascar Seeking redemption after a narrow loss to Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, led by head coach Henrik Rödl, clinched a hard-fought 75-71 victory over the Central African Republic (CAF) to make a 25th AfroBasket appearance. From 21-23 February at the Palais des Sports Mahamasina in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Group D teams battled for a chance to compete in this year's prestigious AfroBasket tournament. Despite struggling with their shooting, Egypt's dominance in the paint and a strong third-quarter performance proved decisive. The game opened with CAF showing great energy and efficiency, taking a 20-19 lead in the first quarter. Their aggressive rebounding gave them second-chance opportunities, as they outworked Egypt on the glass. Egypt's offense initially found success attacking inside, but their perimetre shooting remained a concern from the outset. CAF extended their lead in the second quarter with a strong defensive showing, holding Egypt to just 17 points in the frame. By halftime, CAF led 39-36, having controlled much of the first half. However, Egypt turned the tide in the third quarter with a defensive resurgence, forcing turnovers and capitalising on transition play. The Pharaohs' ability to generate offense through fast breaks — outscoring CAF 24-18 in that category — was instrumental in their comeback. Led by Ehab Amin, who contributed 14 points, three assists and a steal, Egypt outscored CAF 23-13 in the quarter, overturning their halftime deficit into a commanding 59-52 lead heading into the final period. CAF fought back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Egypt 19-16. They finished with a significant 47-32 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds, but their inability to convert second-chance points, combined with Egypt's defensive pressure, prevented them from completing the comeback. Despite their victory, Egypt's shooting inefficiencies were evident. They struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 23.5 per cent from three-point range, and their free-throw shooting (41.2 per cent) kept CAF within striking distance throughout the game. While Egypt dominated in the paint, scoring 42 points compared to CAF's 20, their inefficiency at the line was a notable weakness. Defensively, Egypt's pressure played a crucial role in securing the win. The team recorded 10 steals and forced turnovers that led to 16 points. Their ability to disrupt passing lanes and apply ball pressure helped them build a 17-point lead, the largest of the game. One of the key differences between the two teams was bench production. Egypt's reserves contributed 42 points, providing much-needed support when the starters struggled, whereas CAF's bench managed just five points, placing excessive reliance on their starting lineup. This lack of depth proved costly, particularly in the latter stages of the game. Though the contest featured seven lead changes, Egypt's control for over 20 minutes of game time ultimately made the difference. Despite leading for over 16 minutes, CAF could not sustain their advantage once Egypt made second-half adjustments. CAF will be frustrated with the loss, especially given their superior rebounding and three-point shooting (34.4) per cent. However, their struggles inside the arc (39.3 per cent) and lack of depth ultimately hindered their ability to secure an upset. While Egypt's win was hard-earned, they must address their shooting inconsistencies moving forward. Their defensive intensity and transition play remain strengths, but improved efficiency from the free-throw line and three-point range will be critical in upcoming challenges. Egypt heads to the AfroBasket tournament with a mission of redemption. They were denied a clean sweep in Cairo by Côte d'Ivoire in a heartbreaking 79-76 loss. Leading 72-65 with just under five minutes remaining, they allowed Côte d'Ivoire to go on a 12-0 scoring run, missing a key opportunity to dominate the first round. Now standing at 2-1, Egypt's focus is on correcting past mistakes and securing a decisive victory over Côte d'Ivoire. They must also guard against potential upsets from Madagascar and the Central African Republic as they pursue a 25th AfroBasket appearance. Egypt enters the competition following a strong performance in the Doha International Friendly Basketball Championship, where they were crowned champions for the second consecutive year, finishing ahead of Lebanon and the Philippines. Coach Rödl relied on the experienced duo of Ehab Amin and Anas Mahmoud. Amin made his return to the squad after missing the February 2024 window and leads the backcourt, while Mahmoud, Egypt's top rebounder from the first qualification phase, anchors the paint. However, Egypt was without key guard Amr Al-Gendi, who sustained a collarbone and shoulder joint dislocation in late January during Ahly's Egyptian Super League match against Gezira. Al-Gendi is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Another notable absence is Patrick Gardner, who played a crucial role in Egypt's qualification run last year. The 25-year-old averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the 2024 qualifiers, finishing with a team-best 17.3 efficiency rating. In their previous match against Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt did nearly everything right. They shot 12-for-23 from three-point range, recorded 10 blocks, and dominated large stretches of the game. However, their Achilles' heel was free-throw shooting, missing 11 of 25 attempts, which ultimately cost them the game. Alongside Egypt, the following teams have qualified for the 2025 AfroBasket tournament, set to take place in Angola from 12-24 August: DR Congo, South Sudan, Mali, Libya, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Tunisia, Angola, and Guinea. * A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
