NEW DELHI: On a talent hunt mission, his `goal’ is clear. To help the streetchildren of India beat poverty and embrace football as a way to a better
and secure future. On Saturday morning, former French football star VikasH Dhorasoo whose grandfather migrated from India did just that, motivating street kids and connecting with them.

For 30 kids, it was a special day as they took the field at St Columba’s School with the sport icon, showcasing their skills in a football match between teams headed by Dhorasoo and Indian team vice-captain Renedy Singh. Organised by UK-based Consortium for Street Children (CSC), the match between Dhorasoo XI and Renedy XI was the first in a series for choosing the best talent.

The excitement, both on and off the field, was palpable. Ram Kewal, adjudged player of the match for striking three goals for Dhorasoo XI, was all praise for the former French midfielder. Speaking after the game, Kewal, a class X student of DAV School, Chitragupt Road, said: “It is a dream come true to play with Dhorasoo. The passing, combination strategy were amazing. Hope I will play for India one day.”

“We have seen him on TV and today we played with him. He taught us a few techniques. I still feel it is a dream,” said Anis, a class XII student of DAV Pusa Road and a fan of Manchester United and Kaka.

Dhorasoo also connected with these children, for he himself has fought his way up against poverty, racism and discrimination in France. “I know football can change life as it did for me. I also came from a humble background. I was born in the poor district of Le Havre in France and therefore I can relate to these street children. I want to motivate them so that they can live their dreams.”

Dhorasoo said that his visit to India is not to find an international footballer, but to help the street children through the game. “My work is not to make great footballers, but to make football a way of life. My aim is to take football beyond entertainment,” he said.

The FIFA World Cup footballer approached the CSC showing his interest to do something for street children in India. With football his forte, he decided to make the game as a tool for uplift of the underpriviledged kids. “I hope a partnership will grow out of this. This is definitely not my last trip to India and I am open to help Indian football at the grassroot level. This event will help identify talented young players and we will sponsor their education as well as train and expose them to professional football.”

Showing his Indian side, Dhorasoo, a movie buff, said, “I look like an Indian”, before singing the first few stanzas of `Jimmy Jimmy jimmy Aja Aja Aja’.