FORMER Arsenal defender Kolo Toure says fasting and playing games made him psychologically stronger during the month of Ramadan.
It’s that time of the year again when Muslim players in the Premier League will have to abstain from food and water during daylight hours. The period will cover from March 1st to March 30th.
Toure, who enjoyed a stellar Premier League career with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, admits he never skipped a day of fasting during his playing days, as it made him stronger despite having to stay away from any form of food and water.
He told Sun Sport in an exclusive interview: “The thing is, it’s strange and hard to explain, but it made me feel psychologically very strong, and as the month went on, I got even fitter.
“I think it’s very easy now, with all the great support that clubs provide their players-it’s amazing.”
Toure, who is now the assistant coach of Manchester City’s under-16 team, also revealed that modernity and the world being a global village have meant Premier League clubs are more accepting of the Islamic holy month and provide support to players.
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He added: “Back in the day, it was a bit different because not everyone knew the importance of this month to players, but I get that people are getting used to it now.
“For me, I think most Muslim players I played with did it-even when I was coming up at ASEC (Mimosas). For us, it was just who we were, and we had to do it. It became part of us.
“It didn’t matter where we played, we just had to do it. I loved this month personally.”
Over the weekend, The Football Association’s fifth-round fact sheet stated: “Players observing Ramadan will be permitted a short pause in play to break their fast.
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“An approximate time was agreed upon when the pause would be made.” with United Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui, and Fulham’s Adama Traore benefitting from the rule to break their fast during Sunday evening’s FA Cup 5th round game.
In 2022, former Chelsea manager and now England boss Thomas Tuchel revealed he suspected that his midfielder N’Golo Kanté was not at his best because he was fasting.
Tuchel took off the midfielder at halftime in a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of a Champions League game.
That was the first time the then French midfielder had been substituted at that point.
Tuchel said back then: “At the moment, he is fasting due to his religion, due to his belief, maybe another reason.
“He is not doing it for the first time, but if you don’t eat during the day for many days, it can have an effect.
“He is used to it, but maybe it’s also part of the explanation that he is not at his highest level if you compare it to his influence against Real Madrid last season.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
