DHAKA, May 12, 2020 (BSS)- During the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, the
question frequently arises about the ability of athletes in general, and
footballers in particular, to fast for a full month without this affecting
their performance or physical fitness, source FIFA.Com.
But for Muslim players this Ramadan, the COVID-19 pandemic had at least
one silver lining. With all football activity put on hold worldwide, they do
not have to fast and play football without even drinking water during the
daytime. This Ramadan, they have a unique opportunity to perform their
religious duties and spend lengthy periods of time with their families and
loved ones.
Muslim players are experiencing a different Ramadan this year, as Algerian
international player Islam Slimani said: “This is a good thing for Muslim
players. In previous Ramadan months, I used to fast during training and
matches because for me, as for all Muslims, Ramadan is a holy month.”
Slimani, who plays for Ligue 1 club Monaco while on loan from Leicester
City, and who also played in Portugal and Turkey, added: “Some players were
unable to fast during Ramadan games. This year, however, they do not have
this dilemma.”
Youssef Mohamad, a former Lebanese international and former captain of
German side Koln, said Muslim players had a great opportunity this year to
experience the sacred Ramadan spirit without pressure from games or training.
“Football activity being on hold at present is good news for Muslim
players,” said the Lebanese. “They can fast in the holy month without being
tired from training and matches. This year they can experience the special
atmosphere that comes with Ramadan.”
The former defender, popularly known as ‘Dodo’, also had a three-year
stint with Germany’s Freiburg and recalled the challenges Ramadan presented
at that time: “During my time in Europe, abstaining was hard because the
fasting period was particularly long. At the beginning, it was difficult for
me to fast under the pressure of the games, but in later years, thanks to the
dietician at Koln, things got a bit better.”
“Quarantine due to the coronavirus is ostensibly bad but it has a good
element for Muslim players,” French left-back Wilfried Moimbe told : “In the
last few years, Ramadan came at a very difficult time – that is, during
preparations for the new season, when training is long and arduous with two
or three sessions a day. It wasn’t easy to fast at that time, as we needed to
drink water to get some energy.”
“Fasting at home this year has given me a chance to spend quality time
with my wife and children and to help people in this holy month – something
we were unable to do in the past,” the 31-year old added.
For its part, the Bangladesh Football Federation used the suspension of
football during Ramadan this year as an opportunity to help people affected
by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. It currently prepares iftar [fast-
breaking] food parcels and distributes them to more than 300 people outside
its headquarters in Dhaka every day.
“The BFF is packaging iftar boxes every day and distributing them to the
poor, particularly orphans, labourers, and other people in need,” explained
Ahsan Ahmed Amit, BFF Media and Communication Manager.
“With guidance from the BFF President (Kazi Salahuddin) and the head of
women’s football (Mahfuza Akter Kiron), we drafted a plan to help people
during the month and until the end of the quarantine. A number of current and
former national team players, as well as clubs, also helped the needy and
provided food assistance in a step that demonstrated the major role that
football plays in our society.