Nigeria to document 1996 Olympic history, says Minister

Posted : 23 July 2024

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, has announced a transformative initiative to celebrate Nigeria's Dream Team's 1996 Olympic gold medal win.

Enoh stated that while celebrating one of the nation's greatest sports nights, the Ministry will use the power of storytelling to inspire a new generation of Nigerian sportsmen and sportswomen, fostering a sense of pride, dedication, patriotism, and resilience.

The Minister announced the initiative during the landmark signing of a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and Homelands Films to document the heroic journey of Nigeria’s Dream Team to their gold medal victory at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.

The Minister 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 concrete prepared Nigeria, Africa, and the global audience for what was to follow.

"They went to the Olympics under the most unlikely circumstances.

"Although they were called the ‘Dream Team,’ not many people bet on them to return with the gold medal, considering that world football superpowers, who were part of the competition, were indeed the bookmakers' favorites."

"Against all odds, our Dream Team went, saw, and conquered the world. It was not just about the gold medal but also about how this victory—which remains Nigeria’s greatest glory in world football—was achieved and celebrated.

"I recall Nigerians from 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."

Senator Enoh highlighted the unifying power of sports and its transformative capacity, and its importance today as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu steers the country toward greater prosperity.

"Nigerians forgot their different tribes, tongues, creeds, 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 embrace 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, with the Olympics opening ceremony starting this week, it is important that we kick off this project now."

The President of Homelands Films, Mrs. Mary Ephraim Egbas, expressed her excitement about the project.

"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 is poised to revolutionize the industry in Nigeria and Africa. It will have a profound impact on the sports industry."

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, Atinuke Watti, and other top sports stakeholders were present at the event to lend their support to this pro-Nigerian project.

As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approaches, Enoh reflected on the potential for new heroics.

"In a few days, the 2024 Paris Olympics will commence, and I am sure the inevitable question on the lips of some of our countrymen and women will be: Are we on the cusp of something special?

"Will our sportsmen and sportswomen shock the world? These questions evoke the heroics of 28 years ago when young Nigerians carried the burden of the hopes and aspirations of their countrymen and women on their fragile shoulders, went to war, and returned in triumph."

"One of our strategic intents as a ministry is to enliven sports in Nigeria by fully reawakening the entertainment potential inherent in sports and causing the world to pause and take note of a truly positive moment in our national life.

"This is why we have partnered with the film industry and Homelands Films, to help us capture this moment in a blockbuster world-class film production that will be featured in cinemas across the world and help showcase Nigeria’s sporting prowess, the resilience of its people, and our greatness as a nation," the Minister concluded.

Nigeria to document 1996 Olympic history, says Minister

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