Life and times in sports

Zurfick had a passion for Motor Racing

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

DURING his school days, he was a very keen on Motor Racing. Whenever there was a Racing meet either at Katukurunda or Katunayake in the good old days, he goes all the way to watch these thrilling Motor racing Meets.

He always admired the dare riding of the some of the racing riders like Zacky Deen, Rally Deen, U. D. Jinadasa, Chandra de Costa and many others.

He first started riding in a Vespa scooter and regularly won in many motor racing meets. This was a beginning of a rider M. G. M. S. Zurfick. Later his name became synonymous in Motor Sports field in both Sri Lanka and in India.

He was the first to introduce Yamaha Motor bike, in the Racing Track of Sri Lanka. It was 250 cc motorbike.

The first taste of the power of this majestic Yamaha was tested at the Mahagastota Hill Climb in 1967, by Zurfick.

"Believe it or not, riding this bike Yamaha for the first time at this meet, I was very nervous. I was scared as this motorcycle generated so much power and speed. For a moment, I thought, I would never be able to control this machine. To the surprise of Easter Sunday crowds in 1967, I won the race on that day. Thereafter, I used to ride Yamaha 250 cc and won many races," stated Zurfick.

After his dare devil riding, he was invited to Nuwara Eliya Road Race, along with Zacky Deen. They were invited to participate in Poona and Bombay.

"I had a nasty accident practising at Maitland Place, I was hospitalised. After a few months, I came back to business. I won four events at Katukurunda. Further, I raced in Kandy. At the inaugural Asian Meet held at Galle Face, I started well", stated Zurfick.

The year 1967 and 1968 were golden years for Zurfick. His hour of glory dawned with the 11th All India Meet in Madras. He emerged an easy winner. Not only he won, he recorded the fastest-timing too, riding his Yamaha.

Motor racing

Zurfick, won many meets. In the 1969, All India Meet held in Madras, he completed as a private competitor and showed his class, and emerged vicorious. Again in 1970, in Madras, he won. From there, he proceeded to Bangalore and participated in the Nanda Hill Climb and broke the existing record.

I asked Zurfick, whether, he had any mishaps in his riding career?

Nasty Accident

"Yes, I met with a nasty accident at Nuwara Eliya. I had already overtaken Chandra de Costa and was overtaking Zacky Deen at the corner of Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya on high speed. I had no time to reduce the speed. My motorcycle, hit the sand bag and I jumped onto the fountain. My bike was completely damaged.

Mohamed Ghouse Mohamed Sulaiman Zurfick was born on 25th December 1941. He is an old boy of Wesley College and Zahira College, Maradana. His father was S. L. M. Ghouse, hardware businessman and a government supplier.

Allround sportsman

Zurfick was an allround sportsman during his school days at Zahira College, Maradana, Colombo. He took part in Rugby-Football, Athletics, Cricket, Swimming, Wrestling, Water-Polo, Judo, Archery.

Sports administrator

In later years, he became involved in sports administration. He was the President of the Power Lifting Association, Wrestling Federation.

Man of many parts

Further, he took 15 grapplers for the world championships in Tokyo. In 1961, he represented Governor General's Cup Wrestling Meet in Delhi.

In Rugby-Football, he represented CR & FC, played for Cossacks and CR Bees. In 1991, he was the Chef de Mission for the World Wrestling Championships.

This versatile sportsman and sports administrator, took a team of Power Lifters to Taiwan for the Asian Power Lifting championships in 1991. Then, he took another team to Beijing, China. He attended the World Wrestling Congress held in Rome in 1991.

He was the All Ceylon and All India Motor Racing Champion for four successive years 1967-1970.

eading businessman

Business was in his blood. He ventured out into gem and jewellery trade. Japan has been his market place for three decades.

With the support of the State Gem Corporation, he conducted many fairs in Japan and exhibited Sri Lanka Gems and Jewellery. He had travelled widely. He is also a member of many Business Organisations.

In appreciation of his tireless efforts in promoting sports, the International University of Martial Arts, Japan, conferred a "Doctorate" to him. Thus he is today known as Dr. M. G. M. S. Zurfick.

Although, he is a busy man involved in business and sports he was a social service worker too. He took the initiative to handover an ECG Machine to Beliatta Hospital, which was donated by the Lions Club of Japan.

His wife gives him all encouragement and she is a tower of inspiration. Her name is Zulaiha. They have three sons and a daughter.