The Honorable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has announced a transformative initiative to celebrate Nigeria’s Dream Team’s 1996 Olympic gold medal win, stating that while celebrating one of the nation’s greatest sports night, the Ministry will use the power of storytelling to inspire a new generation of Nigerian sportsmen and women, fostering a sense of pride, dedication, patriotism, and resilience.
Senator Enoh made the statement on Monday 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 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.”
Senator Enoh highlighted the unifying power of sports and its transformative capacity, and its 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. “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.
As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approaches, Enoh reflected on the potential for new heroics. “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,” The Minister concluded.
