Lagos – Some Muslim para-athletes who participated in the just-concluded trials for the selection of players for three forthcoming international engagements, on Thursday vowed that notwithstanding the Ramadan fasting, they would be able to make the final selection lists.
The two-day trials, organised by the Para-athletics Federation of Nigeria (PFN), between July 7 and July 8, held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Lagos.
The trials were to select athletes for the All Africa Games (AAG) scheduled for Sept. 4 to Sept. 19 and the African Championships from Sept. 12 to Sept. 18, both holding in Congo Brazzaville.
It was also to select athletes for the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships, scheduled for Oct. 22 to Oct. 31 in Doha, Qatar.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 195 para-athletes participated in the trials, but only 20 male and 20 female athletes would be invited for camping, from which a final list would be selected.
Most of the fasting Muslim athletes told NAN in Lagos that though it was tough competing while fasting, they had put in their best to make the final selection.
Suwaibidu Galadima, a gold medallist at the 2015 IPC Grandprix/9th Tunis International Championships, said that it was an obligation for him to fast and feature in the trials.
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“I cannot say because I’m fasting, I will not represent my country and I cannot at the same time neglect my spiritual obligation because of my national assignment.
“Although, combining both is not so easy, I gave myself the consolation that I will be rewarded by God, especially to win at the trials,’’ Galadima said.
Bashiru Yunusa, a 2011 All Africa Games Silver medallist, said he was optimistic he would make the selected team in spite of fasting, saying that both were important.
“Although, the fasting made me to lose some strength, I know I will still make the team. I did not allow the fasting to deter my participation.
“My experience came to bear during the trials even while fasting, as I put in my best because I knew I could do it,’’ Yunusa said.
Mariam Tijani, a female athlete from Bauchi, said that although fasting was stressful in itself, sheer determination to make the list gingered her to put in her best.
“The fasting is gradually ending; we are accustomed to it, so it cannot deter us from competing to make the list.
“Running without food is not easy but God is our strength,’’ Tijani added.
NAN reports that the Ramadan fasting which started on June 25 will end on July 17. (NAN)