Mali Protests Visa Refusal Barring Women’s Basketball Team
(MENAFN) Mali has formally criticized the Czech Republic for denying entry visas to its under-19 women’s basketball team, an action that ultimately forced the reigning African champions to withdraw from an international competition hosted in Brno.
The West African country characterized this move as an “unfriendly attitude,” claiming it contravenes the obligations of host nations during global athletic events.
In an official communication released on Monday, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its displeasure by stating that it had submitted a message “to strongly protest the Czech authorities’ refusal to grant entry visas” to the national team.
The government also requested clarification regarding what it called an “unfortunate event.”
“This deeply regrettable incident… caused Mali to miss this world-class competition, at which the Malian team… should represent the whole African continent,” the ministry declared.
The Malian squad had been scheduled to participate in the 2025 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U-19 World Cup, which was set to take place in the European Union member state from July 12 to 20.
Their qualification followed a victorious campaign at the 2024 Under-18 Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Pretoria, South Africa, where they claimed their ninth continental championship.
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