Maha Sabha invite French star

In a media release issued yesterday, the Maha Sabha noted that an e-mail was sent to FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for his assistance in bringing Dharsoo “to inspire Hindu youths in the sport of football.” Warner, in the release, promised: “Anything is worth a try. Leave it up to me”.

And the Maha Sabha stressed that they will be funding Dharsoo’s stay, including accommodation, airfare and ground transport.

“The Maha Sabha that focuses mainly on religion, culture and education has decided to introduce football in all their schools, temples and other institutions,” said the group’s secretary-general Sat Maharaj.

“Hindu parents, especially mothers, dissuade their sons from taking part in contact sports like football,” Maharaj stated.

“A broken bone or even a twisted ankle could traumatise an entire family,” he said.

Dharsoo, born in France to parents originally from the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, is the first footballer of East Indian descent to compete in the FIFA World Cup.

The midfielder plays his club football for Paris St Germain in the French Ligue One after previous stints with Le Havre (1993-1998), Olympique Lyonnais (1998-2001 and 2004), Bordeaux (2001-2002) and AC Milan (2004-2005). He was also a member of the Lyon teams that won the French league crowns in 2002 and 2004.