By Woury DIALLO – The Senegalese Basketball Federation continues its policy of recovering dual nationals. After the former Canadian U19 international, Karim Mané, at the beginning of the month, it is the turn of Sokhna Bintou Lô, naturalized Spanish, to join the Lair.
In a press release, the federal body informs that “the player Sokhna Bintou Lô, naturalized Spanish, is now eligible without restriction for the Senegal national team, by decision of Fiba, dated June 17, 2024”. A decision, according to the source, which follows “an administrative procedure initiated by the Fsbb with the Fiba in order to allow Sokna Bintou Lô to wear the colors of Senegal”. Born in Senegal, Sokhna Bintou Lô followed all her training as a basketball player in Spain, hence her naturalization and pre-selection for the Spanish national team.
This news was received “with great emotion” by “the Spaniard”.
“First of all, I thank God. It is with great emotion, pleasure and humility that I received notification from the Senegalese Basketball Federation informing me that Fiba has given me the opportunity to represent my dear country, Senegal. It’s true that I am Senegalese-Spanish, but I have always felt the desire to represent Senegal which is everything to me and my family. I sincerely hope to deserve this favor and to be part of the next generation who will continue to make Senegalese basketball shine all over the world. It’s a childhood dream come true and I can’t wait to fight for my country. See you very soon and Vamos Senegal,” she reacted.
For the Lionesses coach, the Spaniard, Alberto Antuna, it is “a good acquisition”.
For his part, the president of the Fsbb, Me Babacar Ndiaye, welcomes the decision of Fiba which, according to him, fits with the general interest of basketball and that of Senegal in particular. He also congratulates the player to whom he welcomes.
For the 2023-2024 season, Sokhna Bintou Lô played for the Caledonia Gladiators club in the British Professional League (Wbbl) and achieved 7.4 Points, 7.1 rebounds in 20 minutes of playing time on average per match. A player playing in the inside position and whose profile would be of great interest to the Lionesses coach who approached her with a view to future events, such as the pre-qualification tournament for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for August 19 to 25, 2024 in Kigali , in Rwanda. Senegal is housed in Group C with Brazil, Hungary and the Philippines.
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