RAMADAN FASTS INSPIRE LATE-NIGHT FOOTBALL IN UAE
Baku, August 26 (AZERTAC). The familiar sound of beating drums still fills the stadium as the United Arab Emirates begins its new football season, but matches are kicking off a lot later this summer.
With league play starting bang in the middle of Ramadan, officials have scheduled games to start well after ten o`clock at night to accommodate fasting players.
By the time crowds fill Al Nahyan stadium, players on Abu Dhabi`s Al Wahda football team have had a chance to pray and break their fast.
According to team captain Haider Aili, players have grown skilled at refraining from food and drink all day in accordance with the Islamic holy month`s tradition.
"We`re used to that since we were young," he told CNN. "And we`re very lucky that we`re in a Muslim country so our federation and all of the atmosphere is provided for us."
You have the decrease of the performance. They cannot make a lot of work. They`re tired and we must adjust the training.
"From the second week until two weeks after Ramadan, we see the change," Jemaa said. "You have the decrease of the performance. They cannot make a lot of work. They`re tired and we must adjust the training."
That attitude of accommodation isn`t prevalent worldwide, as matches and training typically continue through the heat of day. So, many professional Muslim players face a dilemma -- to eat and drink, or not.
One of Iran`s biggest soccer stars has been kicked off his team for refusing to fast, according to his team`s website.
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