Yusef Bazzy: "I had to give one for the team ..."

While life often slows down during Ramadan, many Muslims do continue exercising and even competitive sports, welcoming this as an even greater challenge during Ramadan. Here’s the story of Yusef Bazzy, who loves soccer:

At times, playing sports during Ramadan you want to give up, but in the back of your head you know there’s no greater reward you can get by fasting. My body gets drained out, I lose my energy, and my mouth gets very dry. I get headaches from time to time. At the same time, your adrenaline’s going.
    Two years ago, we had a soccer game against our rival. And it came down to five minutes left in the game, and it was a tie game. I was dead tired. I had a headache and leg cramps. I just wanted to give up, but I knew I had to give one for the team. We won the game, 2 to 1.

    I like to break my fast with an ice-cold glass of Kool-Aid. Berry lemonade Kool-Aid. When you drink it, there’s something about it. We have Kool-Aid every night. We down it. Then the table full of food gets cleared out.  Soup is on the table and salad, of course. My Mom makes one of everything. There are two or three different entrees. I usually go to town once. Then I come back and eat later on at night, if I get hungry.

PLEASE, share your thoughts—and your stories.

  We have convenient links on this page—above at right to share your
Comments or to share this story with a friend — and a link at left to
“Share Your Story” with us.