Sep 10 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Arizona Cardinals player Hamza Abdullah practiced through the month of Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, Hamza endured the period and trained with his teammates. Though the player lost 11 pounds as a result, he has gained the weight back and is now playing at his normal weight of 215 pounds.

All that is over now because Muslims throughout the world have started three-day festivities to mark the end of the period of Ramadan. Hamza marked the first day of the Eid al-Fitr with celebratory meal with some of his teammates at his house on Friday.

Hamza said it was mental toughness that saw him through the period.

The exercise was most difficult for Hamza when their training was moved from Flagstaff to Tempe, which is noted for its desert heat. Hamza endured by occasionally rinsing his mouth with water without allowing any of the water to pass his throat.

Hamza maintains that the experience is rewarding for him. He has been taking part of the Ramadan since he was 7 years old and he say the fast shows determination and discipline, which is two vital things needed by any footballer.