Former national footballer Tamang hangs his boot

Former national football player Surendra Tamang, whose career came to halt after being badly injured in a microbus accident on his way to playing in Sikkim, will now be available only for domestic football.

Former Three Star Captain announced his retirement from international football. He quit the football during the exhibition match between the league champions Three Star and I-League team Mohun Bagan.  

“There are a lot of talented youngsters coming up for Nepal and I think this is the right time to hang my boots,” Tamang justified his retirement. Though he will not be available for the national duty, Tamang will be continuing to play in the domestic league. “But I will continue to play in the domestic leagues.”

The 32-year-old Tamang made his debut for Nepal in 2003 SAFF Championship in Pakistan and had earned 11 caps for Nepal. He scored his first international goal against Bhutan in his first national appearance.

Tamang, born on 2038 BS, hails from Sunsari district. He started his football career after he was selected for U-16 from his district.

He started his professional career when he joined Three Star Club on 2057BS. He spent 10 glorious years with Three Star Club. Under his charismatic captainship, Three Star won the first division league on 2061BS.

Tamang was awarded with Best Player title then. “Being awarded with the best player when Three Star won the league under my captainship was one of the best moments of my life,” said Tamang.  Besides, I could not forget the day I was chosen for the national duty. “It’s quite difficult to give up the international football,” Tamang said.

After leaving Three Star in 2067BS, he had his short stint at Friends Club and Sankata Club. Currently Tamang is affiliated with Saraswoti Club. Saraswoti finished at the 9^th position in the last season’s first division league football.

Not being able to play the Khukuri Cup owing to his knee injury and the micro bus accident he went through in Sikkim was the most forgettable moment for Tamang.

All Nepal Football Association awarded Tamang with the Rupak Memorial Best Football Player of the Year 2069in recognition of his contribution to Nepali football.

Tamang reveals his plan to open a football academy to groom young talent in his home district Sunsari, once he hangs the boot from domestic front as well.

 “Since I am a footballer and I can’t stay away from the beautiful game. So I want to pass on my knowledge to a new generation,” Tamang said. Tamang also did not forget to acknowledge the inspiration from Nar Bahadur Karki, Dilip Rai and Krishna Rai who helped to mold his football career.