Anjila Tumbapo Subba, the captain and goalkeeper of Nepal’s national women’s football team, overcame early doubts and societal barriers to become a pioneering figure in Nepali football.
Growing up in Panchthar district of Koshi Province, Subba’s earliest memory is watching local villagers passionately play football near her home. While she admired the sport, she initially hesitated to join, feeling shy about playing in a male-dominated field. However, her love for the game eventually overpowered her reservations.
Her family initially discouraged her from pursuing football, believing it was a sport meant for boys and doubting its future prospects for her. Their perspective changed when a local club recognized her talent and invited her to join. This opportunity marked the turning point in her journey.
“I wasn’t keen on being a goalkeeper at first,” Subba admits. However, when a team needed a goalkeeper, she decided to step up. This choice ultimately shaped her career. Over time, her family moved from doubt to pride, fully supporting her ambitions.
Subba played for local and zonal teams before catching the attention of the Armed Police Force (APF) Club. The club offered her a place in Kathmandu, ensuring her education and a spot on the team. With just a single pair of Rs500 football shoes, which she repaired multiple times due to financial constraints, she set out on her journey.
In 2012, after becoming a regular member of the APF Club, her mentor, Prem Shrestha, a senior APF official, took her and her teammates to an Adidas store. Receiving football boots worth Rs10,000 was an emotional milestone for her. However, despite her passion, she had to spend two years on the bench before getting her first opportunity to play. Looking back, she values this period, as it allowed her to refine her skills and develop as a player.
Subba’s breakthrough moment arrived in 2014 when she played a crucial role in Nepal’s triumph at the AFC U-14 Regional Championship for South and Central Asia, securing a 4-0 victory against India. Later that year, she realized her dream of representing Nepal at the 2014 SAFF Women’s Championship. Wearing the national jersey filled her with immense pride.
Although she was initially a backup goalkeeper, Subba remained patient and focused on learning. Her persistence paid off in the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship when she finally made it to the starting eleven against Sri Lanka. By the end of the tournament, she had secured her position as Nepal’s first-choice goalkeeper—a role she had long aspired to.
Since then, Subba has made 42 appearances for Nepal’s national team. In 2022, she was honored with the captain’s armband ahead of the SAFF Women’s Football Championship, leading her team with determination. Besides playing for Nepal, she also represents Sethu FC, a premier Indian football club based in Tamil Nadu.
Among her many career highlights, one of the most memorable came in 2019 during the Hero Women’s Gold Cup in India. Nepal secured a historic 2-1 victory against India, marking their first-ever win against their longtime rivals.
Subba acknowledges the challenges goalkeepers face, often receiving little credit for their contributions. “Even if we make ten saves and concede two goals, people only remember the ones we let in,” she explains, hoping for greater recognition of goalkeepers’ roles.
She also sheds light on the struggles of female footballers in Nepal, including the irregularity of games, reduced international matches since 2019, and inadequate training facilities. Despite recent improvements, such as an increase in monthly stipends for female players, Subba believes there is still significant progress to be made.
Her journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of breaking stereotypes. As she continues to inspire the next generation, Anjila Tumbapo Subba remains a beacon of hope for women’s football in Nepal.
HER RECENT BIOPIC MOVIE: “ANJILA” MUST WATCH MOVIE
The movie Anjila is inspired by the true story of Anjila Tumbapo Subba, the captain and top goalkeeper of Nepal’s national women’s football team. It follows her transformation from a reserved girl to a team leader, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. Anjila plays herself in the lead role, while Dayahang Rai and Srijana Subba portray her parents. The film highlights the power of perseverance and reinforces the message that with determination, anything is possible.
IMDb RATING 8*
POSITIVE RESPONSE BY THE PUBLIC.