The Club also bestowed the honour of ‘Shan-E-Mohammedan’ to former striker Akbar
By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: One of the oldest football clubs `Mohammedan Sporting Club’ of Kolkata celebrated the 124th foundation day on Sunday, February 8. The club also bestowed the honour of ‘Shan-E-Mohammedan’ to renowned striker Mohammad Akbar, popular in his time in 1970s and 80 as `Chote Miah’.
This was for the first time that such an award has been given. Former Club President Irfan Tahir, former BCCI umpire Alok Bhattacharya, Salkia Friends’ official Pradip Bose, former FIFA referee Udayan Haldar, among others were also felicitated on the occasion.
Footballer from yesteryear, Mohammed Akbar awarded `Shan-E-Mohammedan’ on the 124th year foundation day celebration of Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata on February 8, 2015 by Mayor of Kolkata Shovan Chatterjee. . Club president Sultan Ahmed, Secretary Moin Bin Maqsad and Iqbal Ahmed also present in picture.
Club’s grounds’ men Ranga Mali, who served continuously for more than fifty years and Muhammad Aziz were also honoured with ‘Most Friendly Masseur’ awards.
Mohammedan Sporting Club, one of India’s most prestigious football clubs, was founded originally as ‘Jubilee Club’ in 1887 under the leadership of Nawab Aminul Islam. Its name was then changed to ‘Crescent Club’, which was again changed to ‘Hamidia Club’. In 1891, the Club was finally named as the ‘Mohammedan Sporting Club’.
Speaking on the occasion of the 124th Foundation day celebration programme, current club president and Member of Parliament Sultan Ahmed, said, “Mohammedan Sporting Club is not just a football club, it is also a symbol of national integrity and an example of the communal harmony.”
Reminiscing the old days, Ahmed said that in 1971 when the Club became the champion of the Indian football league, seven of its players were non-Muslims.
Speaking about the financial constraints the club is going through, he said that the Club is finding it difficult to get sponsors. He pointed that mostly it’s the liquor companies who are sponsoring the other big names in the Kolkata circuit, but according the by-laws of the club, Mohammedan Sporting refrains from taking sponsorships from them.
Mohammedan Sporting Club of Kolkata celebrating 124th foundation day on February 8.
He also acknowledged the support of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who gave rupees two crores to support the club two years ago, which has been used for the renovation of the stadium and to support young talents.
Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Shovan Chatterjee handed over the `Shan-e-Mohammedan’ to Akbar.
Originally from Hyderabad, Akbar was popular in Maidan and among his fans as `Chote Miah’ as his elder brother and famous footballer of his time Mohammad Habib also used to play around the same time.
Akbar had moved to Hyderabad in 1972, and the duo earned several accolades not only for the Club, but also for the country.
Besides, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Akbar had also played for Mohanbagan, East Bengal, the other two most famous clubs from Kolkata.
He was the top scorer in the Kolkata League in 1972 with 18 goals. He was the fastest goal scorer in Kolkata’s football history. He played in Mohammedan Sporting for several years – 1972, 1975, 179, 1980, 1981 and 1984. In between he played either for Mohanbagan or East Bengal club.
State Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Department , Arup Roy inaugurating the football training center of Mohammedan Sporting Club.
The two brothers together helped Mohammedan Sporting win several tournaments in the country, like DCM Trophy (1980), All India Governors Gold Cup (1980), Calcutta League (1981), Stafford Cup (1980), Sanjoy Gandhi Gold Cup (1981), Nizam Gold Cup (1984) and Darjeeling Gold cup (1984).
Akbar retired from professional football in 1984 and started football coaching in Hyderabad.
After receiving the award, Akbar said, “I still have the nostalgia of the years I spent in Kolkata and in this Club, which will always remain special to me,” adding, “I am honoured that the Club remembered me after so many years.”
After end of the felicitating progarmme State Sports Minister in Charge Arup Roy inaugurated a football training centre of the club.
Several other office bearers of the club and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
(Photos: Sandip Saha for Twocircles.net)