Vikash Dhorasoo, member of the French World Cup football team that finished runners-up in 2006 was bullish about India’s World Cup prospects. The former footballer, who has also played for Paris Saint Germaine and AC Milan, said: “India will soon be playing the World Cup or World Cup football will come to India. On my travels through southern India and Goa, I have seen so many young boys and girls playing football. This is a very good sign.”
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In Panaji on Monday evening, Dhorasoo was speaking at a function organised by the Alliance Francaise, the French language teaching and cultural institute which has recently opened their new office in the Fontainhas area.
Dhorasoo spoke to football fans and guests at the Panjim Inn hotel where he was flanked by legendary Indian goalkeeper Padma Shri Brahmanand Shankhwalkar.
French publisher Vincent Berniere, Samuel Berthet, director, Alliance Francaise, Hyderabad and host Anuradha Wagle, president, Alliance Francaise, writer Aniruddha Sen Gupta were also present.
In his interaction with the FC Goa girls under-14 team earlier in the afternoon, Dhorasoo spoke about his own teenage years, when he had to undergo a hernia operation and a back surgery which threatened his career. He told the young footballers, “I did not let the surgeries hamper my passion for the game. You need to be mentally strong to succeed in this game.”
Dhorasoo, who was nursing an upset tummy, did not let that come in the way, as he played a short, spirited game of football on the basketball courts of the Mary Immaculate school in Fontainhas with the FC Goa under-14 team members.
Brahmanand, who saw Dhorasoo play, said: “Just see his footballing genius. Put a ball at his feet and he has forgotten his ailment. That is true passion.”
When the discussion veered to Dhorasoo’s latest illustrated biography, his publisher Berniere said, “Vikash’s life story is fascinating because of his Mauritian-Indian roots as also his deep sense of humour.”
Anuradha Wagle summed up, saying, “The mission of Alliance Francaise Panjim is to connect the Francophone world with Goa. This event involving football, France and Goa has been the perfect launching pad for our new premises.”
