Legendary Mari breathes his last

Former footballer Chinghla Mong Chowdhury Mari breathed his last yesterday morning due to multiple diseases at the Holy Family Hospital at the age of 74.
Mari had been suffering from Alzheimer since 2008 and the inclusion of skin cirrhoses made his condition worse and subsequently he was admitted to Holy Family Hospital on April 6 after his condition deteriorated.
The former forward left behind a wife, three sons and a lot of well-wishers to mourn his death as he was taken home to Chandraghona, Rangamati to complete his funeral.
Though Mari was not well-known to the new generation, he was a super star of his time and was a fantastic left-footed forward which helped him secure a place in the then Pakistan national football team in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan.
“That time Mari dada was the most valuable player and every team was eager to rope him in to ensure their victory,” recalled Mostafa Kamal, his Azad Sporting Club teammate and now a volleyball organiser.
Mari started his playing career from the Chittagong Port Trust Club and then joined Azad Sporting, Fire Service, Bangladesh Railway, Wanderers, EPIDC (now BJMC) and Mohammedan SC.
The brilliant forward also played in different tournaments in Malaysia, Hong Kong and China.
Mari played at the left wing position and formed a formidable trio with center forward Ashraf and right winger Kabir and won the hearts of millions of admirers.
He called time in 1969 after playing for Wanderers Club following injuries.
Apart from football, Mari was a regular member of the East Pakistan Volleyball team. He also won in the 100m and 200m sprint.
He was also awarded the National Sports Award in 1981 for his valuable contribution to country's sports.
State minister for youth and sports Ahad Ali Sarker, Bangladesh Football Federation, Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association and Bangladesh Sports Press Association condoled the death of Mari and expressed their deep sympathy to the members of the deceased's family.