Emerging from the virtual world to make their own mark in the ‘real world’, four Kozhikode-based Facebook groups will take part in a football tournament at Physical Education Ground in East hill here on Feb. 26.
The first match will be played between Nammude Kozhikode and Kozhikodenz group, while the groups Malabaris and Youth of Kozhikottukaar will vie for one-upmanship in the next tie.
“We are organising the matches to make the operations of the group more systematic. Moreover, most of the members do not know each other, (so) it will give them a chance to know each other in the real world,” said Rohit Thayyil, founder-member of Nammude Kozhikode group, also an organiser of the event.
Nammude Kozhikode group has about 87,000 members, while the group Malabaris has about 32,000 members. Kozhikodenz and Youth of Kozhikottukaar have about 24,000 members.
To add more flavour to the tournament, the organisers are trying to rope in foreign footballers. “Valentine Chika, a former Salgaocar SC player, may attend the tournament.
He used to play in Kozhikode and his love for the game and place has attracted him to the event,” Rohit said.
He said Harris Rahman, son of Olympian Rahman, has also agreed to be present at the venue.
Rohit, brain behind the initiative to meet friends who are otherwise virtually connected, said, “The idea got good response.
All those present in Kozhikode have agreed to come for the games.”A post has already been put up on the wall of the communities.
Nammude Kozhikodens have grown from a chat group to a social service community, and organise programmes such as medical camps.