Eminent journalist M J Akbar has been appointed president of Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Akbar, the editor-in-chief of English dailies The Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle, replaced Jamil Manjar, who has been made working president.

The club also roped in former Jammu and Kashmir [Images] chief minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah as a member of its executive committee, while Sultan Ahmed stays as general secretary.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed is one of the vice-presidents.

Subhas Bhowmick will continue as coach, Akbar announced in his maiden media conference after taking charge.

Akbar, a former Lok Sabha member, said the club has taken up a three-year programme to reclaim its glory of yore.

Players who don the club colours for three consecutive years will come under a medical insurance net worth Rs 1 lakh.

"Those who turned out for the club for five years in the past will also be brought under the insurance scheme," he said.

The club would take up a massive membership drive soon.

"Our members can also get medical treatment at discounted rates," he said.

Akbar said the club's dressing room would be renovated soon.

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