Roquibul recognised as freedom fighter

Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Roquibul Hasan received recognition as a freedom fighter after the 75th meeting of the Jatiyo Muktijoddha Council.

Roquibul told The Business Post that it was his family members’ wish to see his name in the list of freedom fighters that pushed him to complete the necessary formalities.

“My liberation war started in February 1971 when I went to bat with a Joy Bangla Sticker on my bat. After the brutal massacre of 25th March, I went to India. There I tried to form the Shadhin Bangla cricket team. I was a member of Mujib Bahini and my commander was Sheikh Shahidul Islam,” he said.

The former cricketer also said that it gives him immense pleasure to get the recognition officially.

“What I did in 1971 when I was nearly 18, I think that was the need of the hour, and I just responded to that call. I never thought of any recognition. But now, when the list of freedom fighters is flooded with false claims, it gives me immense pleasure to get finally recognised as a freedom fighter. Especially in the birth centenary year of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50 years of independence,’’ said Roquibul.