The South African Consulate in Abuja has denied visas to the Nigerian U-18 boys’ basketball team, preventing their participation in the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket.
This decision has disrupted Nigeria’s plans to attend the tournament, which kicks off in South Africa today. The Nigerian team was scheduled to play against Egypt in Pretoria later today.
The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has voiced significant disappointment and frustration over the lack of explanation for the visa denial.
The Vice Chairman of the Youth Development Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Ugo Udezue, who is already in Pretoria, said: “First of all, it’s rather unfortunate that an African country needs a visa to travel to another African country. Secondly, this is against the spirit of sportsmanship. These kids have sacrificed too much for a visa consular officer to deny them the opportunity to represent Nigeria globally.”
“The act of refusing the team visas seems like a deliberate attempt to stop the Junior D’Tigers, as the South African Embassy in Lagos cleared the girls to travel, and they are already in Pretoria and set for their opening match against Egypt on Tuesday”.
