Sports Minister calls for respect for Black Stars drummer/entertainer Joseph Langabel

Published on: 21 March 2014
Sports Minister calls for respect for Black Stars drummer/entertainer Joseph Langabel
Joseph Langabel in full force with the Black Stars team

By Ameenu Shardow

Follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Ghana’s Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has defended the inclusion of a drummer/entertainer in a 10-member supporting staff for the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup.

Joseph Langabel, a professional painter is the man mandated to keep the Black Stars players motivated and entertained during major tournaments.

His humorous poems are always a great comic relief to both players and officials during assignments.

His role has however been brought into scrutiny after the Ghana FA signed an agreement with a firm to provide entertainment for the team during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Many believe Langabel’s inclusion is a waste of scarce resources as he has been captured in the breakdown of the approved $9.8m budget for Ghana’s campaign at the World Cup.

Langabel in his elements
Langabel in his elements
But Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Akrah insists Langabel’s role is crucial for the team’s success in Brazil and therefore must not be compromised but rather given the fullest of respects.

“People who do their work well need to be respected no matter how small it is,” the Sports Minister said at a press conference earlier in the week.

“Ask the players themselves how much they are motivated by the singing, dancing and drumming they engage in before matches.

“It should not be discounted. The drummer plays a very important role for the team”

Langabel provides other vital services to the Black Stars team apart from his core mandated of entertainment.

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