Fazil Marija
The right captain for the right season:
by Nilma Dole
Captain of the Kandy Sports Club
and one of the top names of the rugby season this year is Fazil Marija,
the 24-year-old fly half from Kingswood College, Kandy. Winning some of
the best titles of rugby like the Caltex Rugby league and the Clifford
cup, Marija has taken his team to greater heights of the sport in Sri
Lanka.
  “My love for rugby grew from the age of nine and there have been many
in my family who played and still play professional rugby in Sri Lanka.
Some of those who influenced me are Nilufer Ibrahim, Amjad Buksh, Sherly
Sherifdeen, Roy Amith, Dev Anad, Ronnie Ibrahim and more,” said Marija
about his love of the game.
Having played rugby for school at a young age, Marija played for his
college until 2004 and captained the team in that year. He said, “Maybe
it was because I played well that now I captain the Kandy SC side and
I’m happy to have the privilege of representing Sri Lanka since 2003.”
Speaking about his position in the team, Marija said, “I normally
play fly half but I am flexible when it comes to playing in any position
within the three quarter line.”
Working at Emjay International (Pvt) Ltd as a management trainee,
Marija hopes to undertake some professional studies but says that time
is the biggest constraint. As for advice, Marija said, “I would tell
budding rugby players to be committed to the game, love the game they
play, think positively at all times and learn from your mistakes.”
About winning the recently-concluded tournaments, Marija said, “It
was a very difficult task to win but with experience and support given
by the senior players I think we handled it well and I consider it to be
the greatest achievment in my life as this was just a dream come true”.
He added, “It was just good teamwork and good coordination that made us
the champions.”
Marija is a very friendly and warm-hearted person by nature. He said,
“Whatever differences we have during the game, I do not carry it off
field. I have no problem with any of the players as I move with them
extremely well not only in my own club but with ther club players too.”
Speaking to the Sunday Observer magazine about how Sri Lanka rugby is
gaining significant recognition around the world, Marija said, “We are
now being recognised so I think in time to come, rugby will improve in
our country if the officials and players get together and work in the
same direction with the same intentions to take the sport forward.”
In acknowledgement, Marija said, “I think I will fail in my duties if
I don’t thank my mother who was the greatest inspiration of my life. I
also thank all my coaches who helped me to be where I’m today and
special thanks go to my club (Kandy SC), Malik Samarawickrema and all my
supporters who have been with me at all times”. Marija is definitely the
right captain for the right season and even for the right reasons too!
Pix: Kavindra Perera
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