Arafat Rahman Koko: The Silent Architect of Bangladesh Cricket’s Advancement

Even in difficult times, certain moments arrive that redefine a nation’s sporting destiny. For Bangladesh cricket, one such moment came in the early 2000s through the late Arafat Rahman Koko (1969-2015), the youngest son of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

At a time when Bangladesh cricket was still searching for belief and direction, Arafat Rahman Koko worked quietly behind the scenes to build foundations that continue to shape the game today. Away from politics and publicity, his vision helped decentralize cricket, strengthen grassroots development, and restore hope to a struggling sport.

“Arafat Rahman Koko was the main hero in the development of Bangladeshi cricket,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir once said while speaking at Koko’s death anniversary.

At a time when Bangladesh cricket was still struggling for global recognition, hope flickered brightly at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium. In 2006, Bangladesh stunned cricketing powerhouse Sri Lanka in Bogura — a victory that symbolized the rise of a confident new cricketing nation. After earning international status, the stadium hosted five One-Day Internationals, four of which Bangladesh won. For players and fans alike, the venue became a symbol of resurgence. Much of the credit for building and upgrading this international-standard ground goes to Koko, whose vision turned Bogura into a proud cricketing hub.

Importantly, despite belonging to one of the most powerful political families in the country, Koko set a rare example. Instead of naming the stadium after his father, he ensured it honored freedom fighter Shaheed Chandu — a former Bogura district footballer martyred in the Liberation War. In doing so, he demonstrated that sports should rise above partisan identity and remain a space for national unity.

"It is said that no international game has been played here (Saheed Chandu Stadium) for 19 years only due to political vendetta. You will notice that the stadium, which is dedicated to the memory of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, does not have the name of anyone from the Zia family. But why should the political issue come here? Sports in Bangladesh are not developing properly today because of mixing political issues with sports. In this case, I think discrimination or neglect has been happening against the people of Bogura." Vetaran sports journalist Shamim Chowdhury who is currently head of development and research of T Sports told The Asian Age.

During his tenure with the Bangladesh Cricket Board from 2002 to 2005, Koko played a transformative role. Though the government had the authority to appoint him president of the board, he chose instead to serve as Chairman of the Development Committee. That decision reflected both restraint and foresight. He focused on grassroots and age-group cricket, laying the structural foundation for long-term growth.

Non-Political Member of a Political Family

During his lifetime, Arafat Rahman Koko’s non-political role and absence of formal political power were widely discussed among those involved in sports — especially cricket. Yet he himself never sought discussion, praise, or publicity.

A prince by birth, Arafat Rahman Koko could have chosen the comfort and influence that power naturally offered him. Instead, he chose a quieter path — one dedicated to reforming and strengthening Bangladesh’s sporting foundation. Away from the glare of publicity, he helped reshape the country’s cricketing landscape with vision and restraint.

Reserved and publicity-shy, Koko played a transformative role in Bangladesh cricket during his tenure at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) from 2002 to 2005.

“I had the opportunity to witness closely Koko’s contribution to the professionalism that defines Bangladeshi cricket today. My association with him was not political; it was solely through sports. One day, after learning about some of my organizational activities in the sporting arena, he called me and entrusted me with greater responsibilities. That gesture reflected his character — he valued work over words.” Former BCB director Qaiyum Chowdhury said.

“As a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), I observed his work ethic firsthand. He moved with remarkable speed and clarity. In 2002, he became a member of the BCB Advisory Council and served for three years. During that time, he chaired the Game Development Committee and introduced structural reforms in age-based cricket.” He added.

Unlike many cricket administrators, Koko had personal experience in the game. He played second division cricket for the DOHS Club — a modest pursuit for the son of a Prime Minister. That humility would define his administrative approach.

Though regulations allowed the government to appoint the BCB president, Koko never sought the top post. Instead, he chose to serve as Chairman of the Development Committee — a decision that reflected both restraint and long-term thinking. Under his leadership, age-based cricket structures were strengthened and institutionalized.

Arafat Rahman Koko’s passion for sports went far beyond mere hobby—it was his vision and mission. To him, sports were not just physical exercise; they were an expression of morale and a symbol of national unity.

Under his leadership and patronage, sports infrastructure across Bangladesh saw significant improvement. Young talents in football, cricket, and other disciplines emerged under his direct guidance. He personally ensured that players received quality training, opportunities for foreign tours, and participation in international competitions.

“Koko never confined himself to ceremonial duties or photographs as the president of sporting bodies. He went straight to the fields, interacted with players, and resolved their issues firsthand. On many occasions, he bore the costs of essential equipment or medical treatment for player out of his own pocket.” said Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, 'Chief Security Officer' of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman.

“Determined to make Bangladesh shine internationally, he organized friendly matches with foreign teams, sent promising athletes to international training camps, and expanded competitive tournaments at home. His tireless efforts not only elevated the standard of sports in the country but also instilled discipline, leadership, and teamwork in the next generation.” He added.

Building Infrastructure, Building the Future

In the early 2000s, Bangladesh cricket was still fragile. International respect was limited, infrastructure was weak, and player development lacked structure. At that critical moment, Koko—then an advisor to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and chairman of its development committee—focused not on power or publicity, but on foundations.

Koko set a rare precedent in Bangladesh cricket by working constructively with opposition figure Saber Hossain Chowdhury, demonstrating that cricket administration could transcend political divides.

The Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura stands as a symbol of that vision. After gaining international recognition, the venue hosted five One Day Internationals, four of which Bangladesh won. More than just a lucky ground, the stadium revived cricket in a region long outside the sport’s main power centres. The initiative to build the stadium came from Koko, at a time when most international facilities were concentrated in Dhaka or Chattogram.

Koko’s most enduring contribution was his emphasis on long-term planning. After Bangladesh’s humiliating exit from the 2003 ICC World Cup, he pushed for reform rather than reaction. Using his connections with Cricket Australia, he brought in foreign coaches for age-group teams and played a key role in appointing Dav Whatmore as head coach.

The long-term fruits of that vision are visible today in players such as Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shuvo, and Enamul Haque Jr. Bangladesh cricket continues to benefit from the age-group development system he strengthened.

Even after gaining Test status, Bangladesh once faced an unusual problem — cricket activities would almost come to a halt during the monsoon. Koko worked to eliminate that stagnation by expanding infrastructure and ensuring year-round preparation facilities.

Equally significant was his effort to decentralize cricket. Instead of limiting growth to Mirpur and Chattogram, Koko envisioned international-standard venues in Sylhet, Khulna, Bogura and Rajshahi. The goal was simple: talent exists everywhere, and opportunity must follow.

Yet today, Shaheed Chandu Stadium has not hosted an international match for nearly two decades. Veteran sports journalist Shamim Chowdhury has pointed out that political neglect, rather than technical shortcomings, is widely believed to be the reason. Ironically, the stadium does not carry the name of any member of the Zia family—making the continued controversy even harder to justify. This is where Bangladesh cricket lost its way.

Recognizing the limitations imposed by Bangladesh’s monsoon climate, Koko worked to modernize cricket infrastructure. In 2004, the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur was allocated exclusively for cricket. He oversaw improvements, including the installation of an underground drainage system, transforming the venue into a year-round international-standard facility.

Mirpur would later be showcased as the “Home of Cricket” when Bangladesh secured hosting rights for matches in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup — a milestone in the nation’s cricketing history.

In 2004, Bangladesh successfully hosted the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup — the country’s first major ICC event. Despite political unrest at the time, the tournament was organised smoothly, even managing an unprecedented number of practice matches in a single day. Koko played a central role behind the scenes in ensuring its success.

Despite his historic contributions, Koko consistently avoided the limelight. Unlike his elder brother Tarique Rahman, he showed little interest in direct party politics, preferring instead to work behind the scenes in sports administration. He neither sought headlines nor orchestrated media praise. Those who worked with him often recall his preference for remaining in the background while ensuring the system functioned efficiently.

The later years of his life were marked by legal and political challenges, eventually leading him into exile. On January 24, 2015, Arafat Rahman Koko passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 45 in Malaysia. His life was brief, but his imprint on Bangladesh cricket remains enduring.

After the “1/11 incident”, Koko was arrested and then he was sent abroad, in exile, implicating him in false cases, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. “The only reason behind it was that he was the son of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.”

The youngest son of martyred President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Koko’s life was marked by turbulence from an early age. He was barely two years old when he experienced imprisonment alongside his family during the upheavals of the mid-1970s. When his father was assassinated in 1981, Koko was only 11. These formative years were shaped by political instability and personal tragedy — burdens he carried quietly throughout his life.

Yet beyond the political storms that surrounded his family name, Arafat Rahman Koko built a distinct identity — not in politics, but in sports.

Today, whenever Bangladesh celebrates its achievements on the global stage, a quiet chapter of that success traces back to a reclusive organizer who believed that cricket — free from political shadow — could unite a nation and elevate its pride.


Adnan Hadi is a senior journalist mainly
writing on archeological sites and 
sports. He can be reached at: [email protected]