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 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.