Soccer Coach Blasted for Benching Fasting Player

"A practicing (Muslim) player is not weakened because we know from the Institute of Sports Medicine that mental and psychological stability can give a sportsman an extra edge on the field.

"A player who believes in Christianity, Judaism or Islam will definitely have a very calm psychological disposition and it will help him more."

Guess I need to find a monotheistic religion to lower that 10k time of mine.

Hakeem Olojuwan would regularly fast during the NBA season. I recall one year he was fasting during a televised game. He looked completely exhausted but played well.

With all due respect to everyone's beliefs. Some of my best runs have occurred during fasting. Although some of my worst as well. I think it depends on what stage your body is undergoing.

First 12-24 hours is really tough. Then you begin to feel very good.

Hakeem's numbers actually usually went way up during Ramadan. I think he averaged 30+ points a game during one year.

edumacator wrote:

Hakeem's numbers actually usually went way up during Ramadan. I think he averaged 30+ points a game during one year.

Allah Akbar

WTFM wrote:

With all due respect to everyone's beliefs. Some of my best runs have occurred during fasting. Although some of my worst as well. I think it depends on what stage your body is undergoing.

First 12-24 hours is really tough. Then you begin to feel very good.

You didn't read the article and/or know what the Muslim tradition is during Ramadan. They are not allowed to eat or DRINK during the daylight hours. That is much different than fasting, especially if it is during hot weather. In the article the coach even mentions about the lack of drinking in the heat.

I remember seeing some stories about Hakeem. It was also mentioned that most of his games were at night so he had time to get fuel into his body after sunset. Still with practices and just general living it must have been somewhat of a struggle.

The fasting for those able to do it during Ramadan includes no drinking...that is a bigger problem for athletes than the not eating during sun up.

If I were a coach of a fasting athlete, I may hold him out or use him sparingly too...for his own protection...not for any reason other than that. Got to have integrity, and if someone wanted to blast me for it, then I would just say the athlete's well being is my top priority as a coach.

Maximus wrote:

You didn't read the article and/or know what the Muslim tradition is during Ramadan. They are not allowed to eat or DRINK during the daylight hours. That is much different than fasting, especially if it is during hot weather. In the article the coach even mentions about the lack of drinking in the heat.

Eat a dick man.

Flagpole wrote:

The fasting for those able to do it during Ramadan includes no drinking...that is a bigger problem for athletes than the not eating during sun up.

Could the athlete get their liquids though an IV?

WTFM wrote:

Maximus wrote:

You didn't read the article and/or know what the Muslim tradition is during Ramadan. They are not allowed to eat or DRINK during the daylight hours. That is much different than fasting, especially if it is during hot weather. In the article the coach even mentions about the lack of drinking in the heat.

Eat a dick man.

I am a bit confused as to what that comment was for. You commented on this thread and didn't really know what you were talking about, since fasting is very different than also not drinking. I pointed that out so you would know where you made the mistake and perhaps read the article more carefully. But really, there was no reason for that comment.

You're expecting too much to think that there should be some rationality behind the rage of an unbalanced letsrunner.

Ever heard of Mohammed Trafeh? He tied the Mt. Sac Invitational record in horrible conditions right in the middle of a long fast.

I fast all the time, in fact, I'm faster than everybody in the world!

Jose Mourinho can bench whoever he wants.

Bear of Bad News wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

The fasting for those able to do it during Ramadan includes no drinking...that is a bigger problem for athletes than the not eating during sun up.

Could the athlete get their liquids though an IV?

Not sure, but I bet that would go against the spirit of the thing.

Maximus wrote:

I am a bit confused as to what that comment was for. You commented on this thread and didn't really know what you were talking about, since fasting is very different than also not drinking. I pointed that out so you would know where you made the mistake and perhaps read the article more carefully. But really, there was no reason for that comment.

Hahahaha, that wasn't really me. I see what you are saying about the non-drinking thing.