Controversy and conflicting opinions continue about the impact of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan on the performance of professional athletes at a high level, especially in football, in light of the changes imposed by the holy month on the dates of training and playing matches, which may cause a deficit in the performance of players from the point of view of some, while Others see that the effect is only partial in the beginnings of acclimatization, but soon turns into a completely positive one through adherence to a specific nutritional and training routine.
However, in Qatari football, it seems that the players are immune from the direct effects of fasting on performance, given that the Qatar Football Association and the Qatar Stars League establish exceptional programming during the holy month by playing matches after a sufficient time for breakfast, which makes the training transform automatically to similar dates, and therefore players will not have to play matches while fasting, as happens in most European leagues, as we used to monitor scenes of Muslim players breaking their fast during matches at a time when some leagues allow them to give them time to drink water and refreshments, while others do not allow that.
And there may be indirect effects on the players locally in Qatari football, imposed by the process of changing the dates of matches and training from what is usual in the rest of the months throughout the season.
In this context, Pedro Martinez, the coach of Al Gharafa, said in an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) about the effects and changes on local football during the month of Ramadan: "In fact, I do not see many differences, and I find the variables minimal and may be limited to playing matches very late, and therefore we find ourselves forced to conduct training at a time similar to the date of the matches, and this in itself requires adaptation that may take some time, but in general I see the players in a condition They are good during the month of Ramadan, and I find their results good, and most importantly, we do not suffer from injuries related to fasting, because these injuries may occur, but for different reasons, but we do not currently suffer from them in light of the completion of the group, and this in itself refutes some theories that confirm the occurrence of injuries exclusively due to fasting.".
And Pedro Martinez adds that the situation here is completely different from my previous personal experiences in dealing with Muslim players while working in Europe. Going through it during fasting and in the last hours of the day, which makes it like a great challenge for players who face great pressure, especially when they find themselves under a microscope for fear of any decline in their level and accusation of their religious commitment.
In turn, the national coach Younes Ali, the technical director of Al-Arabi team, did not hide the difficulties he faced with his assistant staff in preparing the players for the competitions with the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan, considering that the change in the dates of training and matches needed some time in order to adapt and harmonize.
Yunus said, in an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), that the exceptional atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan is embodied in the great privacy it enjoys, especially when it comes to sports in general and professional football in particular, but we struggled at the beginning with the ability to equip the players. Considering that the programming imposed on us an important confrontation in the semi-finals of the Arid Cup on the first day of the holy month, but with the passage of time the players adapted greatly and dealt with the special programs that were approved very well without there being any negative effects, on the contrary We have brought back many of the elements that were absent due to injuries and the group is ready to continue the challenge in the decisive period of the season, including professional players who have adopted a nutritional program similar to that of the rest of the elements.
Yunus concluded his statement by saying "Sports is an important part of daily practices during the month of Ramadan. In previous years when there were no official competitions, I personally used to spend the month participating in Ramadan tournaments and playing football with friends.
For his part, Spain’s Alvaro Mejía, coach of Al Shahania, confirmed that the morale that the players find in competing during the month of Ramadan outweigh the obstacles and difficulties that they may face through the changes imposed by the programming of matches and training.
And he considered that the atmosphere looks great for the players during this month, which enjoys a lot of privacy for everyone. We, as foreign coaches, feel here the greatness of the occasion and the overwhelming happiness of the players and the administrative staff, and therefore we must understand the religious commitment towards this month, and try to be part of the special rituals. imposed by this commitment and we help the players to carry out religious duties without affecting the work we do in terms of training and preparations for competitive matches, especially since the month currently coincides with a very important period of the season in search of the goals set for us at Al-Shahaniya Club in order to achieve our goal To rise to the ranks of first-class clubs.
Mejia described the process of changing match times to be held at late times, as the biggest challenge for the players during the month of Ramadan, as it is necessary for them to completely overturn the usual system with regard to meals, so we must support them in order to help them in this matter, especially in the stages. The first before automatic return.
In turn, Spanish coach Marques Lopez, Al-Wakrah coach, said, in an interview with QNA, that the official football competitions that are played during the month of Ramadan are exceptional, according to a highly motivating atmosphere for the players and even for the technical and administrative staff, and therefore this atmosphere can be invested to sharpen the players’ efforts to provide the best levels. Possible technical skills during competitions, especially in light of the special programming adopted by the federation to change the dates of matches and thus preparatory exercises that shorten many of the great challenges that players face in other leagues with regard to playing matches during fasting.
Marquez Lopez added: I do not find many differences or negative effects, however, the fundamental change lies in the developments in training programs at the level of dates for preparations and matches, and this requires special programming for the technical equipment, and the speed of response by the players for rapid adaptation, especially since the month of Ramadan coincides with a period It seems decisive at the level of tournaments, especially league competitions for us, as part of our quest to reach fourth place on the ranking ladder.
He concluded "I have been here for a long time, and I find that the atmosphere during the month of Ramadan is exceptionally wonderful, and I see the great keenness of everyone to practice sports, football in particular, in addition to religious commitment.".
As for the other Spaniard, Jose Mauricia, the coach of the Muaither team, he confirms that the Ramadan atmosphere has become a traditional part of his training career after he spent five years here in Qatar as a coach for several teams, in addition to a sixth year he spent in Tunisia, and therefore the rituals of Ramadan are no longer strange to him, whether at the level of the atmosphere. In general or technical work with players during the holy month.
The coach explained that the atmosphere of the month of Ramadan remains exceptional and wonderful with special rituals at all levels, and at the sports level there are also special rituals through different programming that requires adapting to it quickly in light of the many variables on the players, whether during meal times after fasting, or training and matches. We tried to arrange special programs to deal with the players in order to reach their physical readiness to the highest levels in order to help them to provide the best possible physical and technical level.
Mauricia went on, during his interview with QNA, saying: The players’ commitment to the special training programs set by the technical staff helps avoid any direct negative effects on the physical and technical returns of the players. The season with crucial matches for many teams in the first and second divisions. My team has presented a remarkable level during the matches it played during Ramadan.
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