With Ramadan entering its final week for 2023, we recently caught up with Jameela, Girls Scholarship player at Peterborough United Foundation, about how she has dealt with fasting whilst playing football regularly.
Jam is a first year scholar with Peterborough United Foundation and she and her teammates have enjoyed a fantastic season so far. They boast a 100% record in the league and have a cup final to look forward to against Burton Albion just around the corner.
Being a first year, this is the first time Jam has had to adapt to fasting, whilst playing so much football. It wasn’t easy at first, but it’s something she’s learnt to deal with over the course of the month.
“Ramadan was hard to get into the swing of things at the start, considering I have a very different routine now with being at the scholarship. So, obviously, playing football everyday so I had to get used to it. I would say I’m used to it now, so it’s gotten easier.” Jam said.
As you’d expect, fasting can have quite the impact on footballers’ ability to compete to the level they usually would, hence the introduction of dedicated breaks in evening kick off professional football games, to allow those fasting to break their fast as soon as they’re permitted by their religion.
This isn’t the case for all players, though, especially those who play their games in the middle of the day, and it’s another aspect of Ramadan which Jam has had to learn to manage to ensure she remains healthy whilst putting in as much effort as she can.
“I would say fasting does have quite an impact when playing football as you won’t have the same energy you have normally due to obviously a lack of nutrition you would get from eating and drinking in a full day. I’ve learnt the importance of eating the right foods and drinking the right amount which will give me the best chance of maintaining energy to ensure I can still put maximum effort when playing football.” Jam said.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and commemorates the month the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a 29 to 30-day period of prayer, fasting, self-reflection, charity-giving, increased religious devotion and self-control over the need to eat, drink, smoke and oral drug intake between sunrise and sunset. It’s a hugely important time in the Islamic calendar.
Jam said: “I think observing Ramadan is very important as it allows not only me but the whole community to come together and feel closer to our God. It also allows us to reflect on things we are grateful for as a reason fasting is done is to practise self-discipline and empathise with the less fortunate.”
Many footballers have rituals and actions they carry out before games and praying is a huge part of the Muslim culture. Jam doesn’t have any pre-match rituals, but does take the time to pray before games.
“I wouldn’t say I do carry out any rituals or actions on a regular basis but sometimes I do like to pray before a game as it allows me to gain motivation before the game. Especially in Ramadan it is important you pray a lot so in these times I will pray more regularly.” Said Jam.
Ramadan is due to end on Friday 21st April, when the celebratory days of Eid Al-Fitr will begin. We hope everyone celebrating has had a rewarding and prosperous Ramadan and our thanks go to Jam for taking the time to speak to us.