16 I SPORT Passion Islam I September 2009
Mourinho’s Ramadan
row over fasting
Jose Mourinho has been heavily
criticised, claiming Sulley Muntari
should not have been fasting during
Ramadan.
The Inter Milan boss subbed
Muntari after just half an hour in a
draw with Bari - and later claimed that
his lack of energy was down to his
fasting.
Mourinho said: ‘Muntari had
some problems related to Ramadan,
perhaps with this heat it’s not good
for him to be doing this (fasting).
Ramadan has not arrived at the ideal
moment for a player to play a football
match.’
But the former Chelsea boss was
on the receiving end of an attack from
Mohamed Nour Dachan, president of
the Union of Islamic communities and
the field. way to the abstention and change
organisations in Italy.
‘A player who is a believing of habits that Ramadan induces,’ he
‘I think Mourinho could do with
Christian, Jew or Muslim is certainly said.
talking a little less,’ he said. ‘A
calmer psychologically and that ‘Some athletes suffer a lot and have
practising (Muslim) player is not
improves his performance.’ less energy in training and in matches.
weakened because we know from
Even the the player’s personal However, others due to their character,
the Institute of Sports Medicine that
trainer Stefano Tirelli disagrees with emotions and genetics manage to
mental and psychological stability can
Mourinho. perform just the same. Muntari is one
give a sportsman an extra edge on ‘Not everyone reacts in the same of the latter.’
Fasting empowers Kanoute
Super striker Frederic Kanoute, who plays and technique, has helped his Seville told Goal.com, when asked if Ramadan
in the Spanish football league, the world’s FC qualify for a UEFA Cup position in was compatible with the practice of top-
most watched, is not only keen on fasting 2008 and a Champions League direct level football.
the holy month of Ramadan, but also see qualification in 2009. “Ramadan is intended be a period
fasting as empowering. He was named the 2007 African of internal purification and meditation;
“I try to respect my faith and follow it Footballer of the Year, the first foreign- a period of regeneration, It is far from
as best I can,” Kanoute told Goal.com, the born player to win the prestigious title. harmful.”
world’s leading website for soccer fans. Kanoute says adhering to his religious Kanoute is known to be an observing
“There are many Muslim footballers obligations makes him stronger and Muslim who regularly performs his prayers
who people just do not know about in better. even in the locker room.
England, Spain, France and in many other “Personally, having faith helps my Last year he refused to wear a jersey
leagues too,” asserted Kanoute, the striker football and football helps me to be healthy advertising for an internet gambling site
of Spain’s Seville FC. and strengthens me,” he asserted. because gambling is forbidden in Islam.
“But having faith and practicing “There is no conflict because people His team had to give him a brand-
Ramadan is not something they wish to who know about Islam, they know that free jersey until he accepted wearing the
tell the world about.” fasting empowers and does not weaken sponsored jersey in return for money to an
The 32-year-old striker insists, the Muslim.” Islamic charity.
however, that observing Ramadan is not Doctor Yacine Zerguni, a member In 2007, he saved the only mosque in
causing him any problems with his club or of the FIFA and CAF Sports Medical the southern Spanish city of Seville from
fans. Committees, agrees. closure.
“Everyone here has been very good Zerguni has collaborated with F-marc, the Kanoute paid 510,860 euros (some
to me and they understand,” asserts FIFA Medical Assessment and Research $700,000) so that fellow Muslims in
Kanoute, a French Malian origin. Centre, in a study on the effects of Seville would not find themselves without
“During Ramadan I give my all for my observing Ramadan. a mosque.
club and try not to let my team-mates and “This month of physical and mental self He has created a foundation in his
the fans down.” discipline, which must also be free from motherland Mali to help orphans.
Kanoute, known for his pace, strength any unhealthy or aggressive behavior,” he
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