Ian Jackson describes challenge of Ramadan fasting amid NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is always a challenge for college athletes. However, for North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson, this year’s tournament comes with an extra challenge. He’ll also be fasting for Ramadan.

Ramadan, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, lasts a month and the dates of it change annually. For those who observe it, they must fast while the sun is up, making it a challenge to stay nourished and prepared as an athlete. Certainly, that’s been the case for Jackson but it comes with its rewards.

“For me, I would say it’s been rough,” Ian Jackson said. “How should I say it? This fast is going to be looked at as a burden. This is something that we do to get closer to God. So, for me, it’s been good… This is my third year fasting.”

For those fasting, food can’t be consumed during the day. Meals can be taken, with some restrictions, before dawn. However, not even water can be had during the day, making being an athlete playing games in the middle of a fast very difficult.

“We fast during the day between sunrise and sundown… You can’t have pork,” Jackson explained. “We don’t eat pork. So, pork is off the table, but we just eat food… Nothing. No, you can’t drink. So, it’s nothing during the day.”

The NCAA Tournament won’t be the first time Ian Jackson has had to deal with fasting. North Carolina also played the ACC Tournament during Ramadan, which saw the Tar Heels play multiple games in the middle of the afternoon. He averaged just over two points per game coming off the bench.

“In the morning I prepared because I knew during the game I wasn’t going to eat or drink during the game. So, when I prepared, I ate a good amount of food and played the game. It wasn’t too bad. [Get up before dawn], absolutely,” Jackson said. “And before first prayer we get up, eat, we make sure we have like a scheduled meal where it’s a lot of carbohydrates. Things that will stick to you and last throughout the day.”

This year, Ramadan began on February 28th and will run through March 29th. So, if North Carolina makes a deep enough run in the NCAA Tournament, Jackson would be able to end his fast with games left to play. Regardless, he does have some experience going back to high school in dealing with this challenge.

“I didn’t have as many games as I have now,” Jackson said. “So, it wasn’t that bad. I didn’t have too many games I had to play while I was fasting. So, it wasn’t too bad.”

North Carolina will open the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, March 18th against San Diego State for a First Four game. That game is scheduled to tip-off at 9:10 p.m. EST and will be played in Dayton, Ohio.