Football Or Religion? For Some Geordies Football IS Religion

26 September 2011 12:07
Demba Ba was hampered at the start of the season by his religion. As a Muslim, Ba was expected to fast in August, prohibited from eating and drinking during daylight hours. I know some Toon fans have questioned it, particularly as many of the Newcastle players are equally as religious and it says in the 'good book' they should "rest" on a Sunday ... but the play for the team regardless. Or, as some suggest, perhaps next year he takes a month off without pay to do his fasting? Something he says he would refuse to do because he continues to train during this period. Demba Ba: “I trained every day. “I did everything asked of me and I have been doing this (fasting) ever since I was a young boy. “Sometimes it doesn’t affect you at all, sometimes you start feeling a bit tired. "But it is not something new to me – I have been doing this for a long time. "I am used to it and it is something very important to me. "My faith is where I get my confidence and energy from. I will not quit doing this because I can’t. “I was sharp during that time although maybe not quite as sharp as I would like to have been.”  

Source: FOOTYMAD