Sagar Thapa : Astute Footballer

Twenty-nine year old   Sagar   Thapa needs no introduction. If you are familiar with   Nepali sports, you will easily recognize him. He is one of the country’s most popular sporting figures.

If   you   don’t   know   who   he is, let me   introduce him. By profession Thapa is an international footballer and plays for the national team of   Nepal. He made his international debut in 2003 against Vietnam in the Asia Cup qualifier held in South Korea.

Since then he has been   a   regular   in the national squad and has not looked back. It is no surprise that   he has become an asset to the team and taken his game to a   whole new level.  

His diligence, hard work and commitment paid   him rich dividends.  In 2009 he was rewarded with the captain’s arm band and   led the team against Kyrgyzstan in the AFC Challenge Cup at home.

Over the years, he has proved himself to be an astute captain. He has the ability to remain calm and strong under pressure and leads by example.

His spectacular 94^th   minute long range free kick conversion into a match winning goal   in the 2011 SAAF Championship in New Delhi, India hogged the limelight and made national and international waves.  He   became   an overnight sensation.

Football experts around the world were unanimous in their praise of the goal. Mr. Dan Talintyre, Senior Analyst for the popular online “Bleacher   Report” (American digital media company) based in San Francisco was one of those bowled over by Thapa’s mesmerizing free kick.

In Talintyre’s list of world’s 20 stunning free kick goals, Thapa found his way alongside house hold names in the likes of Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and many others.

For a footballer   of   his stature this is the biggest compliment he   can receive in his career. He will not forget, and will always cherish.

Thapa is well known for his   defensive prowess, fighting spirit and leadership qualities. When it   comes to defending, he   is   outstanding, focused and   rock solid, and he always means business.

Besides, he is blessed with an intelligent football brain, sharp reflexes, athleticism and good instincts.  Already he has represented the country in 50   international matches, making him the third player to reach the milestone after Bal Gopal  Maharjhan and Upendra Man Singh   in the history of Nepal football.

It is only   a matter of time, Thapa is most likely to   overtake the two who have more international matches   to their credit.

Thapa’s   rise to football stardom has been if not dramatic but steady. At a tender young age, he developed an intense fascination with football. He grew up watching and playing the game, harboring   dreams   of   playing for the country.

Two very important people, Kumar Pradhan and Simone Paul came into his   life.  They   were his   source of inspiration and motivation. Paul in particular mentored him tirelessly   and   got  his career   going in the early stages.

Thapa, aged eight, was   with bundles of talent and a lot of potential. More important, he displayed plenty of hunger to excel and became the cynosure of the eyes of club coaches and scouts. He did not have to wait   long   to find a team.

His   career got off to a jump start with Friends Club in 2002. Making full use of the opportunity, he molded himself into a player to be reckoned with.

He went to play for MMC, NRT and Himalayan Sherpa Club. Presently   he is captain of MMC and has tasted tang of success.

In 2013 he was an award winner and rightfully so.  The   prestigious Excellent Player of the Year award was bestowed upon him by All Nepal Football Association. He strongly feels the state of Nepali football can be in a much better shape through collective efforts.

A devoted husband and father of two, Thapa spends most of   his   free   time with his family and friends. Besides, he attends football related matters and helps out aspiring young footballers. Friends describe him   as   a very friendly, likable and amiable character.

No doubt, he is approaching the twilight of his career. That said, his impressive career is far from over, and   he still  has plenty of football left in him.

Apparently, he   has a   burning desire   to win SAFF Championship   and   SAF Games. So far it has been a tale of missed   opportunities. Hopefully, his dream comes true before he hangs up his boots once and for all. The good news is that he plans to associate himself with football in one   way or the other after retirement.

Thapa has proven himself time after time.  I reckon he has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. We will have to wait and see. Without a question he is an absolute delight to watch on the football field.