The Senegalese women’s basketball team will no longer train in the United States after several members of the squad were denied US visas. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced the cancellation, stating that the team will now prepare for the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Dakar, Senegal.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over potential US travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including Senegal. Reports indicate that five players and 13 team officials were denied visas, preventing them from joining other team members and their coach already in the US for the training camp. Sonko emphasized the need for a “sovereign and conducive setting” for the team’s preparations.

Senegal’s women’s basketball team is a powerhouse in Africa, consistently performing well in AfroBasket tournaments and featuring players from top leagues worldwide. The visa denials and subsequent cancellation of the US training camp raise questions about international sports and travel policies, as well as their impact on African athletes.