Sports

It was a gloomy day for rugby at Police Park, on June 17. For the first time in the history, minnows Old Zahirians SC defeated Police 26-15. Watching this spectacle was that double international of yester-year Hafeez Marso, from the touchline. He was shocked the way they played. As for him the Police team lacked commitment.

Marso was a rugby and basketball icon for Police SC and for the national team. He left an indelible mark in rugby history at the 10th Rugby Asiad in Bangkok in 1986. He scored 23 points against Malaysia. No Sri Lankan player to date has beaten this..

He had his schooling at Zahira College, Slave Island and he is proud to mention that he’s a product of the Slave Island School.

However he has not forgotten his humble beginnings. His father T.S.B. Marso was a Police Sergeant attached to Field Force headquarters. The second in a family of six children, Marso’s family lived at the Bambalapitiya flats.

Marso got interested in rugby at the age 12 watching the action backed drama at the ‘Park’. The only sport he played at the Slave Island school was football. The popular sport played by the kids in the bylanes

Burly Marso a bundle of energy took to the ring too. He boxed in the inter-unit meets and won the heavy weight title. As a schoolboy he moved among the poorest of the poor. He had self belief. At present he is a Gazetted officer –serving as an ASP.

Q: When did you start playing rugby and basketball for the Police?
A: In 1979. In basketball even won the coveted Exter Shield. In 1981 I represented Sri Lanka in the 11th Asian Cager Championship in Calcutta.
Q: When did you play for Sri Lanka?
A: In the Rugby Asiad Japan, in 1984. The same year I was awarded the Most Outstanding Police Sportsman of the Year award. I also took part in the 10th Rugby Asiad, in 1986 in Thailand.
Q: You have been a key member of the rugby team from 1984-91.
Most experienced and senior player but overlooked for the captaincy.
A: No comments. The success of the team and country comes first to me. Personal achievements take a back seat. In 1987 it was a great year for Sri Lanka rugby. For the first time we embarked on a tour to Wales. Led by Hisham Abdeen, a well knit side 12 Police players made the tour and made an impact against strong opponents.
I also captained the President’s XV against Australian Cavaliers in 1990.
Q: Anything noteworthy in your career?
A: For three successive years, starting from 1984, I scored over 100 points in competitive rugby.
Q: What have you got to say about Police rugby during your time?
A: From 1984-91 it was a golden era where we swept the boards.The Police team was virtually a national team.
They won the league championship for 7 consecutive years. It reminds of that famed (horse) Romanylore, owned by Vernon Rajapakse.
She burnt the Reid Avenue track with 7 wins in a row I can vividly remember this while serving the Ceylon Turf Club as a schoolboy.