The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, has announced a transformative initiative to use storytelling to celebrate Nigeria’s Dream Team’s 1996 Olympic gold medal win and inspire a new generation of Nigerian sportsmen and women.
Persecondnews reports that the aim of the initiative is to foster a sense of pride, dedication, patriotism, and resilience.
Enoh made the statement on Monday during the landmark signing of a partnership 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.
In a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Sports Development, Diana-Mary Nsan, the Minister pointed out the film’s potential to bring to life a story deeply embedded in the hearts of Nigerians and sports lovers worldwide.
He said: “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.
“Although they were called the ‘Dream Team,’ not many people betted on them to return with the gold medal considering the fact that the 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 highlighted the unifying power of sports, its transformative capacity, and its importance today as President Bola Tinubu steers the country to greater prosperity.
He added: “Nigerians forgot their different tribes, tongues, creed, and political differences that tend to polarize them. They revelled 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.
She said: “By bringing this story to the big screen, we aim to honour 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.”
Mrs. Atinuke Watti, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, and other top sports stakeholders attended the event to lend their confidence and support to a pro-Nigerian project.
As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approach, Enoh reflected on the potential for new heroics.
Enoh said: “In a few days, the 2024 Paris Olympics Games will commence, and I am sure the inevitable question on the lips of some of our countrymen and women would be: are we on the cusp of something special? Will our sportsmen and women shock the world?
“These posers 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 cause the world to pause and take note of a truly positive moment in our national life.
“This is why we have gone into partnership with the film industry and Homeland Films to help us capture this moment in a blockbuster world-class film production that will feature in cinemas across the world and help showcase Nigeria’s sporting prowess, the resilience of her people, and our greatness as a nation.”
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