Off the wire
• India says prepared to deal with impacts from Brexit  • Swiss National Bank intervenes as Brexit sends Swiss Franc soar  • USA edges Australia 16-15 in shootout at FINA men's water polo world league super final  • Nigeria's Olympics soccer team to open training camp in Atlanta  • Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, June 24  • (Sports) China beats Netherlands 3-0 for seventh win at FIVB World Grand Prix  • Democratic decision in Brexit referendum must be respected: Council of Europe  • Interview: UN drug, crime office chief believes sustainable development could curb illicit drug production  • Europa League Champions Sevilla sign Japanese international Kiyotake  • G7 countries closely monitor market developments following Brexit  
You are here: 　 Home

Non-issuance of Spanish visas to Nigeria's U17 basketball team causes furore

Xinhua, June 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The non-issuance of visas to members of Nigeria U17 female basketball team by the Spanish Embassy is causing furore in the West African country, particularly as the team forfeited their game against Canada and Japan in the ongoing FIBA Women's World Championship in Spain.

In line with FIBA's rules, Nigeria was credited with forfeits for being absent for the game against Canada on Wednesday and against Japan on Thursday.

This development has evoked outrage among sports stakeholders in the country, the latest being the local sports journalists' association calling for an urgent probe, by the government, of the non-issuance of visas to the Nigerian contingent by the Spanish Embassy.

In a letter to the sports minister, the journalists pointed out that the incident amounted to "denial and embarrassment to the country, waste of the investment, time and efforts committed in preparing the athletes, infliction of emotional trauma and discouragement of the athletes".

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the Spanish Consulate have denied responsibility for the failure of the trip. Endit