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At 32 years old, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Marah Moehammad Ishraf bin Marah Moehammad Hoessein carries himself with the confidence of someone equally comfortable chasing down criminals and chasing down tries.
As a Team Leader with Tanglin Police Division’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) and a stalwart member of Singapore's national rugby team, his life exists at the intersection of public service and sporting excellence.
A Calling to Serve in the Force
ASP Marah’s journey with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) began in 2014, when he served his National Service with the Airport Police Division. In 2021, he was driven by a simple yet powerful motivation: "I wanted to serve justice for victims of crime."
Beyond pursuing justice, ASP Marah was also drawn to the Force's emphasis on developing future leaders. "I wanted to be a 'Leader of Tomorrow' by leading with my actions as a leader," he explains.
ERT officers are the first wave of responders for public security incidents. As an ERT Team Leader, ASP Marah assesses the situation on the ground, deploys his officers strategically and provides real-time tactical direction.
"We need to be ever ready when public security incidents arise, taking charge as the tactical commander and making swift decisions on the ground," he shares.
The physical demands are equally taxing – being ready in full assault gear requires mental fortitude and physical conditioning, both of which complements his rugby training.
Rugby: His Happy Pill
Long before he donned the Police uniform, ASP Marah found that rugby had already claimed his heart. His involvement with the sport began 24 years ago, influenced by his elder brothers who also played the game.
“As a young kid, whenever I had the ball in hand, I found that it allowed me to express myself by running past people or side-stepping them – that’s pure happiness for me,” he recalls with evident joy. “I’d say that rugby is my happy pill.”
Since 2013, ASP Marah has been a pillar of our national rugby team, representing Singapore across Asia and beyond. Beyond athletic achievement, what makes rugby most memorable for ASP Marah is being able to make lifelong friends. “These are the brothers who’ll put their body on the line on the field for you,” he shares. “You know that they also have your back off the field.”
SEA Games Glory and Defeat
His SEA Games journey spans a decade, with his debut in 2015 on home soil bringing both nerves and triumph – with a bronze medal marking the beginning of his medal collection. “Naturally, I was very nervous as I was only 21 years old and playing in front of family and friends in Singapore,” he recalls.
The 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia saw his team claiming silver in front of a boisterous crowd at Petaling Jaya Stadium. “The fans were so loud that we could barely hear ourselves communicating with each other on the field,” he recalls.
However, the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines brought disappointment – his team finished in fourth place, but this setback only strengthened his determination to win.
ASP Marah’s most recent participation at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand was especially meaningful. His team won the silver medal, but more importantly, his daughter was there to watch him play. “This was a very special SEA Games as my daughter was able to watch me represent Singapore,” he says. “I had a lot of support from my family, who travelled to Thailand just to watch me – it was a very cool experience.”
A Balancing Act
Managing the demands of shift work, training four times a week and family life requires extraordinary discipline. “I don't think I have much to balance because I’m very occupied,” admits ASP Marah. “However, I have a very understanding wife who supports me in my endeavours at work as well as for rugby. I always want to make my family proud, in whatever I do.”
His family support is matched by the solidarity of his colleagues, covering his shifts when he has to travel for competitions. “This allows me to pursue rugby as a national athlete outside of work,” he acknowledges gratefully. “It’s an honour and privilege to represent the country and support our next generation of rugby players.”
As he prepares for the Asian Rugby Sevens Series in August and the Asian Games in October, his goals remain modest: to consistently finishing in the top five in Asia. The 2026 Asian Games in Japan beckons as a potential career pinnacle, should Singapore qualify: “I’d like to represent Singapore as we pit ourselves against the best in Asia.”
Reflecting on his sporting journey, ASP Marah noted that rugby has instilled in him three core values that permeate every aspect of his life: commitment, discipline and composure. For this rugby warrior in Police blue, these values have yielded a life of service and achievement that extends far beyond the medal cabinet. As he puts it simply: “Hard work always pays off.”
