Earlier, the octogenarian athlete was taken to the hospital on Monday after he complained of nausea and headache. [break]
He lost consciousness at the hospital and the doctors diagnosed him with brain haemorrhage. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where he was kept for 12 hours. He was declared dead by the doctors at seven in the morning.
The late Thapa´s body was taken to the National Sports Council (NSC) for final tribute. Bhupendra Silwal, who had participated in the Tokyo Olympics along with Thapa, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, officials of the NSC and the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC), players, coaches and sports officials paid their last respects to him.
Prime Minister Nepal draped his body with the national flag and the flag of Nepal Amateur Veterans Athletic Committee.
Thapa, who retired as an official from the NSC seven years ago, was a former athlete of the Army Club. He had joined the club in 1958. His teammate Silwal said Thapa dedicated his life to the sports sector after retiring from Army in 1971.
"General Nara Shumsher Rana told us to retire from the Army and get into sports. Both of us left our jobs after he convinced us that we had a better future in sports. We spent our whole life in sports," Silwal said, expressing his condolence.
Prime Minister Nepal has given his word to support Thapa´s wife. At the request of Silwal, the premier agreed to continue providing Thapa´s monthly pension of Rs 2,000 to his wife throughout her life.
"His death is an irreparable loss for the nation. The new generation should learn from his contributions and follow the path he has shown," said Prime Minister Nepal. "In his honor, we will give continuity to his pension," he added.
(Photo: Bikash Karki)
NSC Member Secretary Hari Babu Chaudhari, Vice-president Pitambar Timsina, Treasurer Min Krishna Maharjan and other officials said they were willing to provide any further support to Thapa´s family.
"We will continue providing Thapa´s pension to his family," reiterated Chaudhari. "You can knock at our door without any hesitation if you have any other problems. Our door is always open for you," Chaudhari told the late athlete´s family.
Late Thapa, a resident of Bansbari, Pharping, had participated in various national and international tournaments. He had participated in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 along with Silwal and four other boxers. It was Nepal´s first participation in the Olympics.
He was 37 during that time. He also participated in the Bangkok Asiad in 1970. He is survived by a wife, three sons and three daughters.
(Photo: Keshab Thoker)
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