Vikash Dhorasoo says bringing OCI players is interesting, but Indian football should focus on youth structure

Vikash Dhorasoo, who represented France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has Indian roots. | Photo Credit: AIFF Media

Former French midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo said that India’s upcoming friendly against Brazil is a good opportunity for younger players to evaluate how much they need to improve to reach a high level.

He said that while bringing overseas players to play for India is good, a lot of the focus in Indian football should be on building a proper youth structure.

“I want to insist on the fact that it is not only about bi-national players bringing their talent to the team. It is also, and mainly, about structural work in Indian football. It must be focused on youth categories, on having young boys and girls reach that level and giving Indian football the opportunity to progress in a structural way,” he said in a chat with Sportstar.

“The football culture in India is big, especially around Kolkata (Bengal) and Kerala, so it is not as if we are starting from a blank page. I think we really need to work with the youth - the young footballers - to raise the level, have more matches, face big teams and learn,” he added.

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However, he noted that allowing Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) players into the national team is an “interesting perspective.”

Dhorasoo, who represented France at the FIFA World Cup 2006, said that India playing at the biggest stage would be huge. “Football is a global game. Everyone knows it. The perspective of having India performing at the World Cup would be something huge, both for football and for India and the Indian diaspora,” Dhorasoo said.

“The match against Brazil will be a good opportunity to evaluate and see what we can do to get to that level. But I am sure that in the next 10, 15 or 20 years, India will produce great talent,” he added.