ATLANTA’S DEKALB – The twentieth anniversary of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games will be marked with various events through the summer in Atlanta, but one Olympic team is hoping to bring ATL magic to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Nigerian Soccer Team became the first African team to win a major world tournament with their victory over Argentina in the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal game. This summer, the Nigerian Team is returning to metro Atlanta to train, host a series of pre-Olympic matches and celebrate the Beautiful Game.
Samson Siasia, Nigeria’s head coach, said a return to the Atlanta area makes sense. “Coming back to Atlanta 20 years after winning the gold medal will instill confidence in our team. The summer climate, which is similar to Rio’s, will allow the team to further build physically and mentally every day that we train,” said Siasia. We want to show what the Nigerian Soccer Team is capable of doing on the world stage.”
The Nigerian team’s history in Atlanta isn’t the only reason for a training camp here, say team officials. Atlanta’s climate, its time zone (which is one hour behind of Rio de Janeiro), and the ease of travel through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport all contributed to the decision to train in the same city that hosted the ’96 Olympic Games.
“Hosting Olympic national team training, in our backyard, is an incredible opportunity,” said Kevin Langston, Georgia’s Deputy Commissioner of Tourism. “It draws significant credibility to the region as well as international media awareness. This is more than just training and preparation. It includes several days of activities, including the opportunity for fans to meet with international soccer legends, the exciting pre-game fan-fest as well as media and community events.”
James Tsismanakis, Executive Director of Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau/Sports DeKalb, agrees that soccer makes an impact. “Part of our ongoing involvement in the community is to attract international events that drive our local economy. Discover DeKalb/Sports DeKalb’s support of the Nigerian Olympic Soccer Team confirms our commitment,” Tsismanakis said. “We look forward to securing similar high-caliber events for DeKalb.”
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WHO: The Nigerian Olympic Soccer Team
WHAT: Training and preparation for the 2016 Olympics with practices, matches and outreach efforts
WHEN: June 28 – July 29, 2016
WHERE: Silverbacks Stadium
3200 Atlanta Silverbacks Way – Atlanta, GA 30340
Practice and match schedules, dates of outreach events, along with sessions open to the public, will be released at a later date.
ADDENDUM
“DeKalb County is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the world, with more than 160 nationalities represented. Every culture, however, speaks the international language of soccer so it is very symbolic that DeKalb County has been chosen to as a destination for the Nigerian Olympic Team,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May.
“United Soccer Africa, with the help of the Nigeria Football Federation’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of EuroData Sport, is coordinating a number of games as part of the preparation. EuroData Sport organized the international friendly between the Nigeria and Mexico National Teams at the Georgia Dome in 2014. EuroData Sport also arranged Nigeria’s training camp for the World Cup Brazil 2015. “The Nigerian Olympic Team’s training camp in DeKalb County will better prepare the team for their international friendlies and for the Olympics,” said Pachon.
“The Nigerian Olympic Soccer Team training in DeKalb County provides a positive economic impact to the region,” said Founder and CEO of United Soccer Africa, Bunmi Jinadu. “Events like this continue the transformation of DeKalb County into a mecca of economic, cultural and sports opportunities, which are essential to supporting the region’s increasingly diverse and creative population,” said Jinadu. He added, “I am delighted we can accommodate the Nigerian Olympic Team’s preparation needs. Our goal is to establish relationships with other countries looking to build their capacity in sports.”
“I am very excited that the Nigerian Olympic Team will be in DeKalb and hope the Georgia magic will help them win Gold in Rio like it did in ’96,” said Greg Griffith, Executive Director of Georgia Soccer Association.
