- Sports Minister Kofi Adams urges Black Stars to accept criticism positively
- Criticism seen as a natural part of professional sports
- Adams says criticism often comes from a vocal few; praise is usually silent
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has encouraged Black Stars players to view public criticism as an inherent aspect of their profession and use it as motivation to elevate their performance.
The national team has come under heavy public scrutiny in recent years, particularly during periods of poor performance, which at times created a rift between the players and the Ghanaian public. However, a recent uptick in performance has rekindled national support and enthusiasm. During an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face, Minister Adams emphasized that criticism is an unavoidable part of professional sports and should not be taken personally by the players.
“My message to the players is very clear — the country supports you. Yes, there will be criticism. We will criticise you. Because if everyone only said positive things, that wouldn’t be normal,” he stated. He pointed out that while criticism often comes from a small but vocal segment of the public, there are many others who remain silent in their support.
“There will always be people who see faults and feel compelled to speak out, no matter the consequences.
“So, if you happen to hear negative feedback, just imagine that multiplied by a hundred — that’s the number of people quietly praising you. Remember, praise often goes unreported,” he added.
