Diaspora of Malappuram (DoM) Qatar, an association of people from Malappuram district in the southern Indian state of Kerala, organised World Cup quiz, sports symposium and a veterans' football match in India as part of a campaign named DoM Kickoff 2022, to promote the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar.
The programme, conducted at the Seminar Complex of University of Calicut, was inaugurated by Calicut University Vice-Chancellor Dr M K Jayaraj. He honoured I M Vijayan, former Indian national football player, who recently received a doctorate from Akankirsk Northern State Medical University in Russia.
In the symposium that followed, noted sports writer Kamal Varadur spoke on the topic 'FIFA World Cup History.'. Famous Malayalam commentator Shaiju Damodaran presented the topic 'Football and Malayalam Commentary' and Dr. V P Zakir Hussain, head of the Department of Physical Education, Calicut University, led the session on Kerala's contribution to Indian football.
Dr Mohamedali Palliyali presented a paper based on the topic, 'How far India is from FIFA World Cup'. Footballs bearing the World Cup logo, provided by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the World Cup Organising Committee, were distributed to the dignitaries, contestants representing colleges, selected colleges and clubs.
Grandmaster G S Pradeep conducted a quiz named 'Goal 2022 - an ultimate quizzing on world football' ,organised for students from around 100 colleges. A documentary introducing Qatar's World Cup stadiums was screened. The events are being held with the intention of promoting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The ceremony was presided over by DoM Qatar president V C Mashhood. General secretary Abdul Asees Chevidikunnan welcomed and vice-president Basheer Kuniil proposed a vote of thanks. After the indoor programmes, a veterans' football match was also conducted at Calicut University football ground, with many football legends from the state participating.
Officials representing District Football Association and Kerala Olympic Association participated. Abdul Latheef E K, Vrinda K Nair, Dr V V Hamza, Rufsa Shamir, Fazilah Mashhood, Selina, Junaibah Suraj and Rajish Chelari led the programmes.
