Senegalese U17 national basketball players and coaches traveled to Yunnan province to train at a sub-high-altitude venue and compete in local village-level games, preparing for the upcoming 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
Senegalese Youth Team Arrives in Yangbi for Training and Cultural Exchange
A 15-member delegation from the Senegal U17 national basketball team arrived in Yangbi County on October 10 for a two-day training and cultural exchange program. The visiting players and coaching staff joined members of the Yangbi County Basketball Association at the “Cangyang No. 1” YunShang Village BA court. The matches form a key part of a technical assistance project supporting Senegal’s preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, following a previous training camp in Chengdu.
Sub-High-Altitude Venue Environment Shapes Tactical Preparation
The training schedule in Yunnan includes multiple instructional matches featuring both 5-on-5 full-court games and FIBA-standard 3-on-3 half-court competition. Geng Ruqi, general manager of the Zhongao Sports Foreign Liaison Consulting Center, stated that the multi-city tour allows Senegalese athletes to experience regional culture while utilizing sub-high-altitude facilities to build physical and competitive readiness. Nene Sira, a member of the Senegal senior women’s national team traveling with the delegation, noted that the unfamiliar environment and new opponents provided valuable tactical development.
Local Students and Venue Operators Highlight Cross-Cultural Impact
Students from Yangbi First Junior High School joined local spectators at the mountain resort venue. Zhao Cheng, a student at the school, noted that playing alongside the visiting national team members offered a rare chance to evaluate personal skill levels and motivated him to increase training intensity. Tang Jianxiong, manager of the Dali Cangyang No. 1 Half-Mountain Hotel and its Village BA basketball venue, stated that hosting the international delegation injected global elements into local rural basketball events and strengthened ties between youth communities.
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