How AFL star Adam Saad maintains peak performance during Ramadan

It has been a pre-season with a difference this year for Carlton defender and practising Muslim Adam Saad.

Saad is no stranger to playing football during Ramadan, but 2025 is the first time his opening game of the season will fall within the Islamic holy month.

During Ramadan, most observant Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset.

"It's one of the pillars of Islam, so it's such a special month and such an important month to reflect," Saad told ABC Sport ahead of Carlton's round one clash with Richmond.

"[It's] a month of worship and to get closer to God and to connect with God.

"A month of giving and charity and doing a lot of good deeds."

Saad says Ramadan is always a special time for Muslims. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)

But by his own admission, such a dramatic change in routine can be testing, especially in the lead up to a new season.

"I speak to the club about modifying my program and training loads," Saad said.

"We've just got a plan in place … [to] make sure I'm having enough food and drink, water and hydrolyte and stuff, so it can not only get me through the day but do it at a good level.

"It can be challenging at times."

A day in the life of an athlete observing Ramadan

Across the world, Muslim sportspeople find ways to maintain peak physical performance during Ramadan.

A notable example is English Premier League soccer player Mohamed Salah, who registered six goal contributions while fasting in 2024 and has already netted twice during this year's holy period.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has a history of strong performances during Ramadan. (Getty Images: Carl Recine)

Usman Khawaja, of the Australian men's cricket team, posted his then-highest ODI score during the month in 2016.

And Saad himself made a game-high 29 disposals in a round two clash with Geelong during Ramadan 2023.

Since 2024, the A-League has incorporated mid-game pauses that allow for observant players to break their fast.

The first pause of this year's Ramadan took place during last Friday's clash between Melbourne City and Macarthur, in which the Muslim trio of Samuel Souprayen, Kevin Boli and Saif-Eddine Khaoui all played.

No other major Australian sporting league has officially incorporated anything similar, but it is also the norm in English soccer.

For Saad, the pre-sunrise meal of suhoor and the following morning prayers are key to a successful training or match day.

"This morning, I got up at 4:30am, had Weet-Bix and some toast, and some dates, lots of water and lots of Gatorade," Saad said.

"So, you're trying to stomach all of that within an hour.

"Obviously we pray a lot as well.

"As Muslims we pray five times a day, and in the month of Ramadan we do a lot of extra prayers.

"I go to the Mosque, pray in congregation around six o'clock, then I get to the club."

During Ramadan, Saad eats his morning meal at 4:30am. (Getty Images: Morgan Hancock)

Once at the club, it's a day of training like any other.

"We just did an 8-kilometre session, I finished weights, and I did my on-field session," Saad said.

With training over before 3pm, there is another almost five hours until Saad can break his fast. After his evening meal, known as iftar, the day is concluded with congregational prayer at the Mosque.

AFL pathways for multicultural communities

As one of the few Muslim players to have played in the AFL, Saad knows how difficult it can be for players from culturally diverse backgrounds to break into the league.

"I missed out on three drafts, and I think a lot of Muslim kids can relate to maybe not getting there the first time," Saad said.

Earlier this year, the AFL revealed that, across all levels of Aussie Rules, 20 per cent of participants had a parent born outside of Australia. That's compared to 48.2 per cent of the general population.

How Muslim athletes keep training while fasting for Ramadan Photo shows A female boxer wearing a headscarf winds black boxing straps around her hands. Ramadan is a period of deep spiritual reflection, and it presents a particular challenge for Muslim athletes.

The AFL has been proactive in encouraging involvement from multicultural communities. Recently, the league announced the addition of the Cultural Heritage Series for the 2025 season, which will replace the competition's Multicultural Round.

Launched in 2018, The Adam Saad Pathways Program provides multicultural youth more opportunities to forge a career in football.

"I feel like we're in a position to really give back and to inspire the youth and just make a positive impact within the community," Saad said.

"We're running six programs and teaching them some life habits and to have good character off the field and footy development on the field.

"It's a mix of leadership and athletic ability and it just gives them a pathway to hopefully not only get drafted but put some good life habits in place and always be proud of who you are."

And for young Muslim players dreaming of making their mark on the AFL or AFLW, Saad's message is simple.

"Just keep chasing your dreams because God has a plan for us, and it worked out for me."

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