KARACHI, Aug 19: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to dedicate the media centre at the National Stadium to Haleem Ahmad, a former sports editor of Dawn, for his outstanding services to sports.

Refurbished and equipped with modern amenities, the centre will from Wednesday, be officially known as the Haleem Ahmad Media Centre.

The late Haleem Ahmad, who died on Jan 18, 2001, was the longest serving sports editor — for almost 26 years — until his retirement in 1991.

An amiable gentleman, Mr Ahmad was very popular among his colleagues. He was a respected figure in the press box, and more so at the National Stadium where he was held in high esteem by everybody.

During a distinguished 43-year career at Dawn, Mr Ahmad covered all the major sporting events with highest professional skill, commitment and dedication.

One of the salient features of this impressive media centre, on which the PCB had spent Rs500,000, is that it bears remarkable similarity to the media centre at Lord’s, the headquarters of cricket, in London.

The media centre, which was last renovated for the 1996 World Cup, can accommodate 52 journalists inside the main hall.

Other features are the fixed glass panels, false ceiling, long desks fitted with electric switches, fixed revolving chairs, a light refreshment bar and an icebox.