Madjiguène Sène denounces ordeal after Mexico stranding

Four Senegalese players were left in Mexico after the national team’s elimination from the women’s basketball pre-qualifying tournament for the 2028 Olympic Games. Madjiguène Sène has accused the basketball authorities of failing to provide adequate support, while the federation has rejected claims of incompetence and neglect.

Senegal lost all three of its matches in the tournament, and Dioma Kane, Nogaye Diagne, Sabou Guèye and Sène could not return with the rest of the delegation because of ticket and visa problems. Sène said the group also missed a week of training during the travel difficulties.

The pivot said she personally paid for food before 200,000 CFA francs was sent through Wave, an amount equivalent to 50,000 CFA francs per player. She also said some teammates arrived without suitable clothes and that a further 143,000 CFA francs was provided for luggage, although withdrawing the money in Mexico proved difficult. Sène questioned the repeated movement between Morocco and Senegal over visa concerns, saying those explanations did not apply to all the players.

The Senegalese Basketball Federation has denied the allegations of incompetence and failure to assist the players. The episode came as the Lionesses’ Olympic qualification hopes ended after three defeats in Mexico.