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The Sun
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
For Senegal women's basketball team, show goes on without US visas
MEMBERS of the Senegal women's national basketball team hustled across the court in central Dakar, dribbling and pivoting as the scuffing noise of their trainers echoed across the empty arena. Originally slated to train in the United States this week, Les Lionnes are instead practising in their home country, an abrupt change of plans highlighting the heightened frustrations for many attempting to enter America under tightened border controls. Last week it emerged that the United States had rejected visas for 12 of Senegal's players and staff, raising eyebrows just days after the West African nation appeared on a list of countries for which America might extend its travel ban. 'I don't think it's a good look for the US right now', team captain Yacine Diop told reporters at the Dakar practice, conceding that the matter was ultimately out of Les Lionnes' control. The basketball team's moment in the diplomatic spotlight comes as President Donald Trump's administration cracks down on immigration and US entry, with deportations and visa bans making frequent headlines. Wearing the team's trademark green, the women spent their first morning of practice drilling and honing technique on Wednesday in Marius Ndiaye arena in central Dakar. Trundling horse carts plied the street outside alongside taxis and other vehicles on the warm June morning. 'It didn't work out. We're here today, and we have to deal with it', assistant coach Madiene Fall told reporters. The women were supposed to practise for 10 days in the United States with their American head coach Otis Hughley Jr ahead of the women's AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast next month. Fall shrugged off the change of plans, telling reporters that the players' success was not contingent on practice location, and pointed to the team's silver medal in the 2023 tournament in Kigali after training in Senegal. The highly successful Lionnes have finished first or second in eight of the last 10 AfroBaskets, which are held every two years. Ultimately, team captain Diop added, the 10-day timeframe was short enough that 'it doesn't matter if we go to the US or we stay here'. 'Dunks' Washington Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was less measured when he defiantly announced last week that he was cancelling the team's participation in the US training in light of the visa ordeal. Baiting the United States with high praise for its archrival China, he thanked Beijing for its continued support of Senegalese athletes. 'Sonko 'dunks' Washington and lauds Beijing', the top headline in local newspaper Sud Quotidien read the next day. Sitting outside the stadium, real estate agent Diene Bacar Diouf said 'everyone is talking about it'. 'The United States of America is a partner for Senegal, so I don't see the reason why they are refusing visas', the 45-year-old said, adding that the matter had 'disgusted' him. The US Embassy did not respond when asked by AFP why the visas were rejected, while the State Department said it was unable to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a 12-country travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. For assistant coach Fall, the visa constraint simply calls for a pivot. 'There is no reason to worry', he told the reporters gathered at the arena, 'we will prepare here in Senegal and try to win the holy grail in Ivory Coast.'
France 24
12 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
For Senegal women's basketball team, show goes on without US visas
Originally slated to train in the United States this week, Les Lionnes are instead practising in their home country, an abrupt change of plans highlighting the heightened frustrations for many attempting to enter America under tightened border controls. Last week it emerged that the United States had rejected visas for 12 of Senegal's players and staff, raising eyebrows just days after the West African nation appeared on a list of countries for which America might extend its travel ban. "I don't think it's a good look for the US right now", team captain Yacine Diop told reporters at the Dakar practice, conceding that the matter was ultimately out of Les Lionnes' control. The basketball team's moment in the diplomatic spotlight comes as President Donald Trump's administration cracks down on immigration and US entry, with deportations and visa bans making frequent headlines. Wearing the team's trademark green, the women spent their first morning of practice drilling and honing technique on Wednesday in Marius Ndiaye arena in central Dakar. Trundling horse carts plied the street outside alongside taxis and other vehicles on the warm June morning. "It didn't work out. We're here today, and we have to deal with it", assistant coach Madiene Fall told reporters. The women were supposed to practise for 10 days in the United States with their American head coach Otis Hughley Jr ahead of the women's AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast next month. Fall shrugged off the change of plans, telling reporters that the players' success was not contingent on practice location, and pointed to the team's silver medal in the 2023 tournament in Kigali after training in Senegal. The highly successful Lionnes have finished first or second in eight of the last 10 AfroBaskets, which are held every two years. Ultimately, team captain Diop added, the 10-day timeframe was short enough that "it doesn't matter if we go to the US or we stay here". 'Dunks' Washington Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was less measured when he defiantly announced last week that he was cancelling the team's participation in the US training in light of the visa ordeal. Baiting the United States with high praise for its archrival China, he thanked Beijing for its continued support of Senegalese athletes. "Sonko 'dunks' Washington and lauds Beijing", the top headline in local newspaper Sud Quotidien read the next day. Sitting outside the stadium, real estate agent Diene Bacar Diouf said "everyone is talking about it". "The United States of America is a partner for Senegal, so I don't see the reason why they are refusing visas", the 45-year-old said, adding that the matter had "disgusted" him. The US Embassy did not respond when asked by AFP why the visas were rejected, while the State Department said it was unable to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a 12-country travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. For assistant coach Fall, the visa constraint simply calls for a pivot. "There is no reason to worry", he told the reporters gathered at the arena, "we will prepare here in Senegal and try to win the holy grail in Ivory Coast."
Int'l Business Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
For Senegal Women's Basketball Team, Show Goes On Without US Visas
Members of the Senegal women's national basketball team hustled across the court in central Dakar, dribbling and pivoting as the scuffing noise of their trainers echoed across the empty arena. Originally slated to train in the United States this week, Les Lionnes are instead practising in their home country, an abrupt change of plans highlighting the heightened frustrations for many attempting to enter America under tightened border controls. Last week it emerged that the United States had rejected visas for 12 of Senegal's players and staff, raising eyebrows just days after the West African nation appeared on a list of countries for which America might extend its travel ban. "I don't think it's a good look for the US right now", team captain Yacine Diop told reporters at the Dakar practice, conceding that the matter was ultimately out of Les Lionnes' control. The basketball team's moment in the diplomatic spotlight comes as President Donald Trump's administration cracks down on immigration and US entry, with deportations and visa bans making frequent headlines. Wearing the team's trademark green, the women spent their first morning of practice drilling and honing technique on Wednesday in Marius Ndiaye arena in central Dakar. Trundling horse carts plied the street outside alongside taxis and other vehicles on the warm June morning. "It didn't work out. We're here today, and we have to deal with it", assistant coach Madiene Fall told reporters. The women were supposed to practise for 10 days in the United States with their American head coach Otis Hughley Jr ahead of the women's AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast next month. Fall shrugged off the change of plans, telling reporters that the players' success was not contingent on practice location, and pointed to the team's silver medal in the 2023 tournament in Kigali after training in Senegal. The highly successful Lionnes have finished first or second in eight of the last 10 AfroBaskets, which are held every two years. Ultimately, team captain Diop added, the 10-day timeframe was short enough that "it doesn't matter if we go to the US or we stay here". Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was less measured when he defiantly announced last week that he was cancelling the team's participation in the US training in light of the visa ordeal. Baiting the United States with high praise for its archrival China, he thanked Beijing for its continued support of Senegalese athletes. "Sonko 'dunks' Washington and lauds Beijing", the top headline in local newspaper Sud Quotidien read the next day. Sitting outside the stadium, real estate agent Diene Bacar Diouf said "everyone is talking about it". "The United States of America is a partner for Senegal, so I don't see the reason why they are refusing visas", the 45-year-old said, adding that the matter had "disgusted" him. The US Embassy did not respond when asked by AFP why the visas were rejected, while the State Department said it was unable to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a 12-country travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. For assistant coach Fall, the visa constraint simply calls for a pivot. "There is no reason to worry", he told the reporters gathered at the arena, "we will prepare here in Senegal and try to win the holy grail in Ivory Coast." Senegal women's team captain Yacine Diop speaks to the press after training in Dakar on June 25, 2025 AFP Players for the Senegal team listen to one of their coaches during training on June 25, 2025 AFP Les Lionnes spent their first morning of practice drilling and honing technique at Marius Ndiaye Stadium in central Dakar AFP
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
For Senegal women's basketball team, show goes on without US visas
Originally slated to train in the United States, Les Lionnes are instead practising in their home country of Senegal (PATRICK MEINHARDT) Members of the Senegal women's national basketball team hustled across the court in central Dakar, dribbling and pivoting as the scuffing noise of their trainers echoed across the empty arena. Originally slated to train in the United States this week, Les Lionnes are instead practising in their home country, an abrupt change of plans highlighting the heightened frustrations for many attempting to enter America under tightened border controls. Advertisement Last week it emerged that the United States had rejected visas for 12 of Senegal's players and staff, raising eyebrows just days after the West African nation appeared on a list of countries for which America might extend its travel ban. "I don't think it's a good look for the US right now", team captain Yacine Diop told reporters at the Dakar practice, conceding that the matter was ultimately out of Les Lionnes' control. The basketball team's moment in the diplomatic spotlight comes as President Donald Trump's administration cracks down on immigration and US entry, with deportations and visa bans making frequent headlines. Wearing the team's trademark green, the women spent their first morning of practice drilling and honing technique on Wednesday in Marius Ndiaye arena in central Dakar. Advertisement Trundling horse carts plied the street outside alongside taxis and other vehicles on the warm June morning. "It didn't work out. We're here today, and we have to deal with it", assistant coach Madiene Fall told reporters. The women were supposed to practise for 10 days in the United States with their American head coach Otis Hughley Jr ahead of the women's AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast next month. Fall shrugged off the change of plans, telling reporters that the players' success was not contingent on practice location, and pointed to the team's silver medal in the 2023 tournament in Kigali after training in Senegal. Advertisement The highly successful Lionnes have finished first or second in eight of the last 10 AfroBaskets, which are held every two years. Ultimately, team captain Diop added, the 10-day timeframe was short enough that "it doesn't matter if we go to the US or we stay here". - 'Dunks' Washington - Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was less measured when he defiantly announced last week that he was cancelling the team's participation in the US training in light of the visa ordeal. Baiting the United States with high praise for its archrival China, he thanked Beijing for its continued support of Senegalese athletes. Advertisement "Sonko 'dunks' Washington and lauds Beijing", the top headline in local newspaper Sud Quotidien read the next day. Sitting outside the stadium, real estate agent Diene Bacar Diouf said "everyone is talking about it". "The United States of America is a partner for Senegal, so I don't see the reason why they are refusing visas", the 45-year-old said, adding that the matter had "disgusted" him. The US Embassy did not respond when asked by AFP why the visas were rejected, while the State Department said it was unable to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality. Advertisement Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a 12-country travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. For assistant coach Fall, the visa constraint simply calls for a pivot. "There is no reason to worry", he told the reporters gathered at the arena, "we will prepare here in Senegal and try to win the holy grail in Ivory Coast." bfm/cw
Sinar Daily
7 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
US refuses visa for members of Senegal's women's basketball team
The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. 20 Jun 2025 09:20am Senegal's women's basketball team, Les Lionnes, faced a setback after the US denied visas to several members, leading to the cancellation of their crucial pre-Afrobasket 2025 training camp in the United States. - AFP photo for illustration purpose only DAKAR - The United States rejected visa applications for multiple members of Senegal's women's basketball team which was scheduled to train in the country, the country' prime minister said Thursday, as he cancelled the group's participation in the practice. The visa refusals come amid US President Donald Trump's administration's immigration crackdown and tightened border controls. Senegal's women's basketball team, Les Lionnes, faced a setback after the US denied visas to several members, leading to the cancellation of their crucial pre-Afrobasket 2025 training camp in the United States. - AFP photo for illustration purpose only The United States is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Senegal is among 36 nations that the United States is considering adding to a travel ban barring entry to its territory, according to an internal administration memo. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko posted on Facebook that he had been "informed about the refusal to issue visas to several members of the Senegalese women's national basketball team". He said that he had instructed the country's minister of sports to cancel what was to have been a 10-day training camp in the United States. According to Babacar Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, the United States only renewed visas for "those who held old visas and rejected new requests". Les Lionnes had been slated to train in the United States ahead of the Afrobasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast, which begins in July. A spokesperson for the US State Department told AFP that it was not able to comment on individual cases, while the US Embassy in Senegal did not reply to a request for comment. In addition to pulling the plug on the training, Prime Minister Sonko thanked China for having "awarded dozens of training scholarships for our athletes and their coaches". - AFP More Like This
