MORE THAN JUST A GAME

FIFA-supported film tells inspiring story of Robben Island prisoners who fought authorities to play football.

Producer by Anant Singh, More Than Just A Game is a FIFA-supported film which tells the inspiring story of Robben Island prisoners who fought authorities to play football while in prison. The prisoners were committed to the beautiful game and played strictly according to FIFA rules. Produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring, the film is directed by award-winning director Junaid Ahmed.

"It is a euphoric moment in our lives and one for the memory books for our young democracy,” says Anant Singh, “and can only be compared with Nelson Mandela’s release which was greeted with similar enthusiasm with everybody coming together in large numbers and a unity of spirit and purpose.

“The commencement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is a historic day for South Africa and Africa as a whole, and we are very pleased to be the host country,” adds Anant Singh. “For me it is a really special day, especially having been at the announcement in May 2004 with Madiba and the South African delegation. The World Cup euphoria on South African streets that has gripped people of all colours and all ages is truly a remarkable feat of nation building! More significant, though, is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people are coming together in Fan Parks across the country, not only South Africans, but people from all over the world.

“This is a momentous occasion and one that will be remembered forever by the people that are here throughout this and their stories will be told for generations to come. We are delighted that international audiences can have a window into the lives of prisoners on Robben Island and how football inspired them though their incarceration.”

Produced with the support of FIFA, More Than Just A Game will be broadcast on international television channels during the World Cup, attracting a large viewership and giving the film a significant profile. It provides a fitting tribute to the many political activists who were imprisoned on Robben Island and shaped the history of South Africa. Their collective efforts resulted in democracy in the country, and ultimately brought the world’s most prestigious sporting event, the football World Cup to South Africa.

More Than Just A Game will be broadcast on June 13 on the ORF2 channel in Europe and on BBC2 on June 18 in the United Kingdom. The film will also be broadcast on other international television channels during the World Cup in South Africa.