KARACHI: Pakistan’s renowned cricket writer and reporter Qamar Ahmed on Friday night was honoured for covering over 400 Test matches spanning over 42 years with speakers declaring him a journalist par excellence.

“Qamar Ahmed is an iconic cricket writer and reporter and his covering of 415 Test matches is a great achievements and honour for the country,” former Test left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim said at a reception hosted by cricket patron and promoter Nadeem Omar, chief executive of Omar Associates, at a local hotel here.

A pure gold-medal and undisclosed cash award were presented by Nadeem to Qamar for his services as cricket writer and reporter.

Nadeem, speaking on the occasion, recalled Pakistan’s top cricketer and former captains like Imran Khan and Javed Miandad as well as Sarfraz Ahmed and several others enjoyed support and hospitality of Qamar.

“He [Qamar] has always extended vital assistance and guidance to Pakistan manager and officials while touring England,” he said.

Nadeem further complimented Qamar for his outstanding services to the game as journalist and declared him an iconic writer.

“We all should be proud of his great contribution and achievements in cricket journalism,” he remarked.

Richard Heller, an English novelist and researcher, said it was rare achievement and impressive record that Qamar had covered 20 per cent of Test matches played in history.

He praised his honesty and integrity while reporting cricket across the globe.

Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu said he first met Qamar when he visited the Gaddafi Stadium with legendary film actor Mohammad Ali.

He hailed Qamar for the grand contribution in the field of cricket journalism.

Qamar said he had achieved this recognition through sheer hardwork and dedication and accepted it as a challenge to excel in the field.

He also recalled various interesting incidents while touring and covering cricket all over the world.

Former Test cricketers Jalaluddin and Shoaib Mohammad, sports editor of Dawn Rishad Mahmood, veteran cricket administrator and ex-KCCA chief Prof Syed Sirajul Islam Bukhari, current KCCA president Prof Ejaz Faruqi, PVCA chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan and Asma Shah, the wife of late Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, also spoke on the occasion and lauded the services of Qamar.

The ceremony was also attended by former Test opener Sadiq Mohammad, first-class cricketers, journalists, KCCA officials, friends and relatives of Qamar.

Sports anchor Mirza Iqbal Baig conducted the reception as moderator.

Published in Dawn, October 11th , 2015

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