Football while fasting: life in the Ramadan Midnight League | Nick Miller

09 June 2018 01:00
An idea to help people who might not otherwise feel able to play during Ramadan is gathering momentum in BirminghamJust after 10pm on a warm Friday evening Obayed Hussain stands outside the Aston Villa academy building, the North Stand of Villa Park looming behind him. He is wearing a white jubbah, the traditional robe worn by Muslim men. Just before going inside he removes it to reveal a Birmingham FA tracksuit underneath.A bit more than an hour later the first of around 100 or so people, mostly young men, arrive to play and watch football, which they will do until around 2am. It is not the most obvious time for recreational sport but this is the Ramadan Midnight League. Conceived by Obayed and executed with the help of Villa and the local and national FAs, this is an initiative designed to help those who might not otherwise feel able to play during their Ramadan fast. Related: Transfer window 2018 – every summer deal from Europe's top five leagues Continue readingreadfullarticle

Source: TheGuardian