The minister of sports development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has announced the transformative initiative to celebrate Nigeria’s Dream Team’s 1996 Olympic gold medal victory in Atlanta, USA, saying the Sports Ministry will use the power of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympics storytelling to inspire a new generation of Nigerian sportsmen and women, fostering a sense of pride, dedication, patriotism and resilience.
The minister made the remark during the landmark signing of a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and Homelands Films in Abuja yesterday to document the heroic journey of Nigeria’s Dream Team to their gold medal victory at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
He emphasized the film’s potential to bring to life a story deeply embedded in the hearts of Nigerians and sports lovers worldwide. “In the run-up to the Olympics, nothing in concrete terms prepared Nigeria, Africa, and the global audience for what was to follow. They went to the Olympics under the unlikeliest of circumstances,” he said.
“Although they were called the ‘Dream Team,’ not many people betted on them to return with the gold medal considering the fact that world football superpowers who were part of the competition were indeed bookmakers’ favourites.”
“Against all odds, our Dream Team went, saw, and conquered the world.
It was not just about the gold medal but also the way this victory – which remains Nigeria’s greatest glory in world football – was achieved and celebrated that mattered. I recall Nigerians of all walks of life pouring into the streets in every town, city, and even the remotest villages in wild jubilation; they danced, sang, and draped themselves with the national flag,” Enoh added
Senator Enoh highlighted the unifying power of sports and its transformative capacity and importance today, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu steers the country to greater prosperity.
“Nigerians forgot their different tribes, tongues, creed, and political differences that tend to polarize them. They reveled and danced well into the dawn of the next day. This poignant moment underscored the unifying power of sports. This unity, is what we must imbibe today.”
“We want a world-class film that tells the story of the heroics of 1996 in a manner that is enriching, compelling, and inspiring a sense of nationalism. Especially at this time, where the Olympics opening ceremony starts this week, it matters that we kick off this project now.”
The president of Homeland Films, Mrs. Mary Ephraim Egbas, expressed her excitement about the project, saying: “By bringing this story to the big screen, we aim to honor the legacy of our athletes and ignite a renewed sense of pride and passion for Nigerian sports. The significance extends beyond entertainment. It’s poised to revolutionize the industry in Nigeria and Africa. It would have a profound impact on the sports industry.”
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Atinuke Watti, and other top sports stakeholders were present at the event to lend their confidence to a pro-Nigerian project.
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