In Indonesia, students every year indulge in the extreme game of Fireball Soccer, or ‘Sepak Bola Api’ to welcome the month of Ramadan.
It is a fiery take on the world’s most popular sport, soccer and is played every year in the Yogyakarta, Bogor, Tasikmalaya and Papua regions of Indonesia.
The origin of the fireball soccer is unknown but is speculated to be played for more than 40 years.
Fireball soccer is played for spiritual significance and not just for show or as an attraction. It is played to test the courage of students.
The game is extreme in itself but the rituals that precede the sport are even more extreme.
The rituals include prayers, avoiding food prepared with fire, and also players have to go without sleep the day before the game is played. Playing any sport is tiring but having to play without sleep is even more strenuous.
Still, the tradition continues and fireball soccer is an important part of Ramadan celebrations in Indonesia.
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Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Interesting Sports, Sequoit Media, Topend Sports + more
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