BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The football event of the Atlanta’96 which was a game changer will soon be documented in audio-visual format by the Nigeria ministry of sports. The men’s football tournament was won by Nigeria and the completion of the tournament has since changed.

The Nigerian side, locally tagged as ‘Dream Team surpassed all expectations to emerge winners, beating global giants, Brazil and Argentina on their way to glory.

Nigerian sports minister, JJohn Owan Enoh

It was the first time in 68 years that a non-European country won the football tournament of the Olympics. More significantly is the fact that Nigeria terminated the Europe dominance of the tournament.

Ever since, no European country has won. The epoch-making occasion will now be documented in film. According to a press statement, the Nigerian sports minister, JJohn Owan Enoh remarked: “We want to use the power of storytelling to inspire a new generation of Nigerian sportsmen and women.”

It will be a collaboration of the sports ministry and Homelands Films.

Enoh remarked that the movie has the 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 concretely 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 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.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, a member of the victorious 1996 Dream Team, Emmanuel Babayaro recalled with nostalgia how after Nigeria lost the opening group match to Brazil, the squad never gave up. “Losing just 1-0 to reigning Brazil that was unbeaten like three years before the Olympics a no big deal. We were happy that our coach, Jo Bonfrere was not. He wanted us to beat Brazil to announce our readiness to capture the football gold. We picked up ourselves and resolved to go all the way,” recalled the senior Babayaro brother who also had his junior brother Celestine Babayaro as a wing-back in the team.