Vikash Dhorasoo

Thursday, 02. April 2009 - Arunava Chaudhuri

A couple of weeks back IndianFootball.Com Editor-in-Chief Arunava Chaudhuri had the chance to meet the former French international footballer Vikash Dhorasoo, a Player of Indian Origin, in the French capital Paris. And what a pleasure it was to meet Vikash over the day, discuss football with him and talk about social problems, see him in action while interacting with teenagers from the problem areas of the French capital and him looking forward to being in India in early-April.

Arunava got to know Vikash as a footballer who has not forgotten where he has come from and willing to give back, knowing how lucky he has been in life.
They also discussed possible ways to work together to help in the development of Indian football. And hopefully we at IndianFootball.Com will work with Vikash on some future projects.
A special thank you to his friend and film producer Pierre Walfisz! We were able to meet through Pierre at his office in the departmént of St-Denis.


Arunava: First I wanted to thank you personally for the interview I could do with you through our common friend Pierre Koetschet a while ago! And I’m happy to say it was widely read in India.

Vikash: You are more then welcome. I heard from Pierre about the feedback and it was great to see the interest in me in India!


Arunava: You have now retired as a footballer. You had an interesting career which included ups and downs, but overall it can be called successful.

Vikash: It was fantastic! Extraordinary. A dream come true for me personally. But it was also a job, so it didn’t end too well for me. The last couple of years were difficult.
Especially the problems at Paris Saint-Germain with the club firing me in the end. I actually lost my job that wasn’t a dream and it was strange to be without a job though I had the financial security, which people often do not have when they lose their job.


Arunava: You now as a retired footballer are trying to give something back to society.

Vikash: Yes. My vision is political!
My life is now for the good of the people, not for me. And I have to do something for the people. I just can’t take the money and live a good life…


Arunava: You are now working for the Mayor of Paris on social projects. Interacting and working with children/teenagers from the capital, especially with immigrant backgrounds. Please tell us a little more.

Vikash: Yes, I accepted the offer from Bertrand Delanoe, the Mayor of Paris. And I am now helping him in the Paris City Council working and interacting with the teenagers.


Arunava: But you are critical about modern day football? The system, the money and everything around it.

Vikash: Yes. We have to give a message: “There needs to be a change the way football runs.”
It isn’t good for youngsters, the children aiming to become professional footballers are aspiring to reach the levels which they see in today’s football. It is totally unrealistic. And it sends out a wrong message.


Arunava: Over the years you have stood up for minorities, have fought for their causes. Why?

Vikash: This comes naturally to me. It comes from my culture, my family values.
All football players come from the same background, but the star system and money changes a lot of them. I have tried to stay the same over the years.


Arunava: You are an interesting mix of cultures – French, Mauritian and India.

Vikash: Yes. And I am very happy about it! It was strange to me when I was younger and I pity that I wasn’t interested more in my own background then.


Arunava: You will be in India for the first time in a few weeks with the visit to Delhi. What are you expectations?

Vikash: It will surely be a cultural shock, but I am really excited.
I’m actually scared to see so many people like me (laughs…)
In the future I would like to show India to my two daughters. I’d like to be able to show them my family roots that lie in this country, but to be able to this I need to learn a lot about India myself.


Arunava: What is the reason for you to go down to India now?

Vikash: On my first trip to India I’m not going on a holiday as you know. There is a concrete reason and purpose to travel down to Delhi. It is for the "Consortium for Street Children". I want to get a feel of the real India. It isn’t about poverty or wealth, but the people.


Arunava: In early-February you visited the FIFA headquarters, met FIFA president Sepp Blatter and other officials to talk about the “Win in India with India” programme. What was your impression? And would you like to get involved with that project?

Vikash: Yes, if FIFA want me. I was impressed with Secretary General Jérôme as he is seriously interested to develop Indian football with social work around it, even with conscience. And not only focus on the business side of things.


Arunava: I have heard today about your willingness to help India and its football. But what would be the vision of a Vikash Dhorasoo for us to see India one day in a football World Cup. You know what it is like though you didn’t get to play that much.
And I ask you this knowing you will only go to India in a couple of week’s time.

Vikash: Play “Tikka Masala” (laughs…) No, on a more serious note. Indian football needs to develop its base. – the Academy. It surely is long-term work and there is no miracle solution. I am willing to collaborate and help with my knowledge.


Arunava: Is it the social aspect which brings you to India? Or is it also the football?

Vikash: Indian football is of academic interest for me now. You know that.
I wish to exchange ideas – bringing to India what I know and also learn more about Indian football.
Also I want to bring French football knowledge to India and I dream to see a “real” Indian player playing in a French club one day.


Arunava: Thank you for talking time out for me. And the interview!

Vikash: You are welcome!