Freedom fighter Shafiqur Rahman (Munna), advisor and founder director of Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd, passed away on August 23. He was 70.

He breathed his last at his residence in Dhaka due to cardiac arrest. Rahman left behind his mother, wife, only daughter, grandson, granddaughter and host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Rahman served as Chairman of Skyways Techno Services Ltd, Managing Director of S. Rahman Associates Ltd and Managing Director of Comfort Real Estate Ltd.

He was an Executive Member of Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB 1991-1996) and advisor of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB 2002-2005) and Chairman of the Grounds and Facilities Committee, BCB (2003-2005).

Late Rahman developed venues and pitches of international standards in Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi Divisional Stadiums, Narayangonj Fatullah Cricket Stadium, Bogra Shaheed Chandu Stadium.

He was a member of the Under-19 World Cup Organizing Committee, President of Victoria Sporting Club (2001-2006).

During this period, Victoria Sporting Club won Championships for two consecutive years in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League during the seasons 2001-2002 and 2002-2003.

He also served as General Secretary, Victoria Sporting Club (1985), Cricket Secretary, Victoria Sporting Club (1975-1980), Victoria Sporting Club won the Dhaka Cricket League Championship in 1975-1976 and Runners-up in 1976-1977.

Rahman produced and groomed cricket players like Abdur Razzak Raj, Alok Kapali, Manjurul Rana, Shakib Al Hasan, Aftab and others.

He was a pioneer in introducing professionalism in club cricket by paying remuneration to players since 1975.

Rahman was a life member of Victoria Sporting Club, Dhaka Club Ltd and Gulshan Club Ltd. He was also a founding member of Cadet College Club.

The veteran sports organiser, also an ex-president of Victoria Sporting Club, played many roles at the cricket board. He was a member of the BCB's executive committee and advisory committee and was also a member of the interim committee for the BCB formed in 2007. He had been a long-standing chairman of the board's Grounds and Facilities Committee and was a member of the first BPL Governing Council.