Everest Tribute: Rajukaji Shakya Honored by Mountaineers at World’s Highest Peak
In a remarkable tribute, mountaineers Phurba Tenzing Sherpa and Raj Gurung unfurled a flag bearing the photo of former national football player and coach Rajukaji Shakya at the summit of Mount Everest.
The climbers successfully reached the peak at 10:00 AM on Jestha 4 (May 17), achieving yet another milestone in Nepal’s mountaineering history. This marked Phurba’s 17th successful ascent of Everest. Originally from Rolwaling, Dolakha, Phurba is a veteran climber renowned for his record-breaking feats. Meanwhile, Raj Gurung, a permanent resident of Syangja, became the first Hong Kong-based Nepali to scale the world’s highest peak.
Photo : Nima Gyalzen Sherpa
But why was Rajukaji Shakya’s image chosen to be honored on top of the world?
According to the climbers, the tribute was in recognition of Shakya’s unparalleled contribution to Nepal through football. As a player, captain, and coach of the national football team, Shakya has left an indelible legacy in the sport. Shakya devoted 17 years of his life to the national football team. He is the only individual in Nepal’s football history to have served in all three major roles—player, captain, and head coach. As a player, Shakya was part of the gold-winning Nepali squad during the inaugural South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in 1984 and again in the sixth edition in 1993. Later, as head coach, he led the national team to another gold medal during the 12th South Asian Games in 2016.
Shakya began his professional football career in 1975. His international playing career spanned from 1981 to 1997, including serving as team captain throughout much of that time. He also played professionally in the Bangladeshi league. Notably, he captained Nepal in three prominent international friendlies—against the Soviet Union in 1987, East Germany in the same year, and West Germany in 1989.
Despite dedicating his entire life to football, Shakya’s contributions have yet to receive due recognition from the state and the country’s football governing body, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). Nonetheless, this extraordinary gesture atop Mount Everest stands as a powerful acknowledgment of his lifelong dedication and service to Nepali football.
