In an age where many seek the spotlight and applause is often pursued more eagerly than purpose itself, Mortuza Shariful Islam has chosen a quieter path. Without fanfare or self-promotion, the senior officer of the Republic has spent years working behind the scenes for sport, education and social welfare, steadily becoming a dependable figure within Bangladesh's sporting community.
Currently serving as the Tax Commissioner in Cox's Bazar, Mortuza Shariful Islam, a member of the 22nd batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), remains actively involved in sports while fulfilling the demanding responsibilities of government service. From grassroots competitions to national-level activities, his presence has long been felt across different sporting arenas.
At times, he organises tournaments to keep local sporting culture alive. At others, he stands beside sick or struggling athletes with financial or personal assistance. He has also personally arranged sponsorships for promising sportsmen and sportswomen. Beyond organisation, he himself is an internationally FIDE-rated chess player.
Sport, particularly chess, runs through the veins of the entire family. Both of his sons are internationally rated chess players, while his wife is also a sports enthusiast.
"My entire family is a sporting family," Mortuza Shariful Islam said.
His elder son, Mortuza Mahathir Islam, became unbeaten chess champion at the Indian School Tournament in Tripura in 2018 and also won a bronze medal in chess at the Bangladesh Youth Games the same year. He is now studying in the United States on a fully funded scholarship and continues participating in chess tournaments there whenever possible.
His younger son, Mortuza Muhtadi Islam, won the gold medal in chess at the Bangladesh Youth Games in 2018.
The proud father said, "Watching my sons, I also became more involved in chess again. Like them, I too hold an international rating."
Beyond sport, Mortuza Shariful Islam has also invested himself in education and social work. He established two libraries, the Nurul Islam Memorial Library in Narayanganj Sadar and the Salma Begum Memorial Library in Bandar. Four days a week, including Fridays and Saturdays, children gather there not only to read books but also to learn poetry recitation, music, dance and sports.
"The country has educated me and established me. The homeland has brought me to this position. Therefore, I also have something to give back to the country," he said.
"Alongside serving the state, I try to devote whatever spare time I have to sports, education and social welfare activities as part of my social responsibility."
His social efforts also extend to environmental work. Associated with the organisation 'Porichchhonna Bangladesh' (Clean Bangladesh), he regularly joins students in cleanliness drives around his home district and sometimes even in the capital, including at Dhaka College and the University of Dhaka. He also provides tax and VAT-related advice and assistance to athletes and sports organisers whenever needed.
"If we fail to leave behind a habitable environment, the normal development of future generations will be hindered," he said.
During the coronavirus pandemic, when the country's sporting activities came to a halt, Mortuza Shariful Islam tried to support local and national athletes according to his ability. Later, when conditions improved, he organised the Nurul Islam Memorial International Tournament in Narayanganj, where national-level players also participated.
Since then, he has continued arranging tournaments regularly while also organising football and other sporting activities for school students through his libraries.
Now stationed in Cox's Bazar, he dreams of organising an international chess tournament on the world's longest natural sea beach. Former Bangladesh Chess Federation Joint Secretary Morsalin Ahmed has already visited the district to assess the feasibility of the plan.
Mortuza Shariful Islam may not chase publicity, but through years of quiet dedication, he has shown that meaningful service is often performed away from the spotlight. And so, it is said with quiet truth: not all heroes stand beneath the floodlights; some build the game beyond them, in service to society, country, and sport alike.
