With the conclusion of its 4th week, the Excellent-Division Football Tournament is now halted momentarily for the Holy Month of Ramadhan. This week's matches were characterized by excitement and change of results. Some weak teams went up, while few supposedly strong ones went down.
Wahda of Aden team, just up from First to Excellent division, was able to defeat Wahda of Sanaa, Excellent-Division champion of 1997/98, 3-nil. Shoula team dropped from fourth to sixth position with six points after being defeated by Shaab of Mukallah 1-nil. The latter rose to fifth position with seven points.

In a match held in Aden last Wednesday, December 16, Ahli of Sanaa defeated Tilal of Aden 3-nil. It was Tilal's third bitter defeat in as many weeks. Ahli's harmonious and coordinated playing was faced by Tilal's mediocre performance. Now Ahli of Sanaa stands at top of the football league with 12 points. Tilal dropped to 12th position with only three points, greatly angering its fans.
Hilal of Hodeidah defeated Tali'a of Taiz 2-nil; rising from 10th to 8th position and lowering Tali'a from 11th to 13th position.

Zohra defeated Majd 2-nil, jumping to 10th position with 4 points. Majd dropped with only one point to 14th position, bottom of the division.
Ittahd of Ibb achieved a no-score draw with Saqr of Taiz. So Ittahd dropped from 7th to 9th position with five points. Saqr went from 8th to 11th position with 4 points.
Halting the tournament during Ramadhan will be a good opportunity for all teams look back and take stock. The results so far indicate that this tournament will be full of surprises.

 

Many people often wonder: Is there a real sport activity in Ramadhan in Yemen? Some people harbor the strange belief that Ramadhan is a month for rest and sleep, when a fasting person has nothing to do but devour food at Iftar time, stay late at night and sleep till noon.
This attitude is reflected on sport activities, among others. Sports clubs become places for playing chess, domino, cards, etc. Very few clubs indeed continue to host more physical sport activities during Ramadhan.

Ramadhan affords obese people a good opportunity to exercise and lose some weight. This idea was taken up by a number now unfit veteran athletes from the Ahli, Wahda and Zohra clubs. They got together and formed football, volleyball and basketball teams. Matches are held two hours before Iftar, the ideal time to burn extra calories and tone muscles.
Some "official" athletes may become unfit due to lack of activity during Ramadhan. This is a grave mistake committed by sports clubs and sports associations in this country.

Sport exercises should never stop, maybe just reduced a bit during Ramadhan. When true religious rites and customs are applied, Ramadhan offers a good opportunity for both physical and spiritual well-being.
It is very important that sports clubs and associations should organize enough sport activities during this holy month. They must never "sleep" like the Ministry of Youth and Sport!