The whole of Nepal wants to know who were the people in your family photo from Wednesday.
They are my mom and sister
How old are you? Are you single?
I am 23, yes I am single.
After the SAG football, how has the response been like from the fans, especially on Facebook?
I received so many friend requests that I have exceeded the limit on the number of friends, but I do send friend requests to people. I also got lot of messages.
Could you tell us how your career in football began?
My home is in Sindhupalchowk. I grew up there with my family. I think it was around 2006 when I played a local tournament, Sindhu Bhotekoshi, along side former national captain Sagar Thapa. Our team won the tournament that year, and I was named best goalkeeper. My uncle Balgopal Shrestha played for a club in Kathmandu, and he encouraged me to come to Kathmandu to play football.
Do you have any memories of how you played during your childhood?
Well, when I was small, we used to play with balls made with socks. My mom tells me even now that one day I saw a football inside a shop and wanted it real bad. I cried for 2-3 days demanding that football, which at the time would cost around a thousand rupees. Finally my mom got me the ball, and I was really happy. My mom talks about the incident often. Yesterday when I met her after landing at the airport, she told that she was happy that I had chosen to play football.
There saw some photos of you crying. What made you cry?
I was happy, and my happiness had no limit. That must be the reason I cried. My mom wanted me to study, and I am doing just that. I am studying BBS and will soon finish college.
When did you first realise that there was this game called football, and you should play it seriously?
My maternal uncle Balgopal Shrestha and aunt Rupa played professional football. While my uncle played at the club level, my aunt was part of the national squad. Whenever there was a big tournament, I would sit with my uncle to watch the match on TV. I remember watching Upendra Man Singh (Nepal’s former goalie) play in big matches. During the World Cup, we used to go watch the match on the big screen at a local cinema hall one of my uncles owned.
My mom tells me even now that one day I saw a football inside a shop and wanted it real bad. I cried for 2-3 days demanding that football, which at the time would cost around a thousand rupees.
Your brother was in the ANFA Academy. What happened to his career?
Yes, my elder brother was in the academy. He played as a winger. But after he fractured his right hand twice, that too while playing football, our mom did not allow him to play anymore. He’s physically not as fit as I am.
Your favourite football team?
I have always been a Brazil fan, and personally, I am a big fan of the Spanish goalie Casiallas; he’s retired now.
For many people, football is all about scoring goals. Most budding footballers dream of becoming a striker. Did you also have the same dream?
When we were in school, I was the tallest in the class. That is why our teacher would ask me to take the post whenever we played football. If you were tall, you’d make the perfect goalie. Also when my cousins and I stole fruits from our neighbours, I would be the one diving and jumping. My cousins would tell me that I am jut fit to become a goalie.
When did you first realise that your career will be in football, and that too as a goalie?
I think it was during the same Sindhu Cup I was telling you about. I was named best goalie. After the cup, I , along with my family, moved to Kathmandu, where I joined college. I used to play inter-college tournaments. One day a friend of mine, who played for Saraswati Club, took to me to the club’s trial. The club was impressed, and soon I was playing there. After some time Upendra Man Singh, the same person I used to watch on TV as a child, offered to train me at his Madhyapur club. I played for Madhyapur, and for sometime for Jawalakhel and Three Star Club. These days I am affiliated with the Army Club, although I am not a army man; I am there on contract.
When did you debut for the national side?
I was given a break during the 2012 Nehru Cup. I got the opportunity because the regular keep was unfit, and coach Krishna Thapa believed in me.
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How did you feel when you were selected for the Banga Bandhu Cup?
I was excited to become a part of the team that was pretty young. I had publicly said that this is a team that will either perform extremely well, or extremely bad. The result was positive, and I felt good.
Did you feel frustrated when you were not named in the Asian Games, 2014, squad?
Yes, I did feel bad. I even cried. But I knew that someday I would get the break. I did not ask the selectors why I was not selected, but I told myself that I need to put in more effort.
Do you remember the first time you earned money by playing football?
Yes I do. When I played for Saraswati, the first pay I received was Rs 15,000. I gave it to my mom. The second month I received my salary, I decided to keep it somewhere safe. The fifteen thousand is still with me.
Now let’s talk about the SAG final against India. How was the atmosphere like when you entered into the ground?
Whenever I enter the field, I remember what Upendra dai says, “We can only win a match when we play with a ‘gorkhe‘ spirit. That day I realised what he’d meant by that. Upendra also used to tell me that although the captain guides the team, the goalie is also responsible for keeping the team motivated. If the goalie lets go, then everyone lets go.
We saw that during the first half of the match the Nepali squad could not withstand the Indian attack. But in the second half, things got better. Why was this?
We watched the Indian team’s match video and analysed their gameplay. We devised our strategy based on that. But when we took to the field, we realised that they had changed their strategy of playing defensive. So in the second half we played attacking football, and were duly rewarded.
How do you rate Nawayug’s performance?
Nawayaug was my roommate during the tournament. He is the best finisher we’ve seen for a long time. Whenever we take to the field Nawayug helps me put on my gloves. He tells me that it’s his lucky charm. Whenever he does that, he scores a hat-trick! I have also come to believe that it is our lucky charm. (laughs)
Many people have praised the level of fitness of this young squad. What do you do to remain fit?
I hit the gym regularly. I mostly train my legs with weight, that helps to keep them nimble.
Final question: if you were not a footballer, what would you be ?
I guess I would have been a businessman. I come from a place where my forefathers were traders who made regular trips to China! (laughs).
