Tottenham embark on African adventure

14 April 2012

With their European challenge now extinct, Tottenham are jetting off to the land of the dodo.

The north London club today arrived on the African holiday island of Mauritius for arguably the Premiership's most exotic postseason jaunt.

Martin Jol and his players will be pampered at a five-star resort; being guests of honour at a swanky cocktail party and attending their own private box at a Spurs-inspired day at the races.

Mixed in with the frolics, there is also a football match - against the Mauritius national team - and other club duties such as a meetand-greet day with schoolchildren.

A strong squad, including Ledley King and Jermain Defoe, are expected to play in Friday's friendly at the 13,000-capacity Anjalay Stadium.

Players' wives and Spurs directors have also taken advantage of the chance to spend a week in the Indian Ocean sunshine. The trip was the brainchild of Suresh Taurah, a fanatical Spurs fan and managing director of Tottenham-based travel agency Imbel Travel.

Born in Mauritius but brought up in London, Taurah has built up a successful business specialising in Mauritian holidays. Concerned about a decline in football's popularity in his homeland, he approached Spurs last year about a promotional tour.

Taurah said: "I have decided to help sport in my country. There have been problems with football out there, particularly with crowd trouble, and people have stopped going to the stadiums.

"I love Tottenham and hopefully their visit will be a major boost. It is very big news in Mauritius, there will be thousands of people at the airport to meet the players. Tickets for the match have already sold out."

With Air Mauritius and the Mauritian Football Association also backing the trip, Spurs were delighted to take up Taurah's offer which is costing the promoter around £80,000.

Spurs have strong links with the UK's 140,000-strong Mauritian community, much of which is based in the club's north London catchment area of Edmonton, Wood Green and Walthamstow.

It is not the first time Spurs have toured the island, with Bill Nicholson taking a team there in 1974. On that occasion, they comfortably beat the Mauritius national team but the match is still remembered by locals for star player Shyam Oodunt's successful penalty against Pat Jennings.

On Sunday, the players will spend the day at Champ de March, Mauritius's only racecourse which will feature the inaugural running of the Tottenham Souvenir Cup.

Spurs officials have bought a trophy and will present it to the winning owner. All horses in the race will run in blue-andwhite club colours in their honour.

A spokesman for the Mauritius Football Association said: "We are hoping to start a tradition of European clubs coming here. It is a dream for Mauritians to actually see the players in action."

For one lucky Mauritian, the dream will be extended.

Sporting director Frank Arnesen will watch 30 of the nation's Under-17 players in a tournament and offer six weeks' training at the Spurs academy to the brightest prospect.

Five delicious Mauritius facts

Island discovered in 1505 by Portugal
Dodo is hunted to extinction, 1681
British colony between 1810 and 1968
Population: 1.4m; Area: 720sq miles
National drink: Green Island Rum

MORE ABOUT

Indian Ocean

Jermain Defoe

Mauritius

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham embark on African adventure

Read More