Sports couple Asim-Sonira to tie the knot in Dec

Published On: November 4, 2016 08:32 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Nov 3: After nine months of clandestine love affair with national swimming champion Sonira Bista, Nepal’s acclaimed footballer Asim Jung Karki has finally decided to give a ‘new meaning’ to their relationship. 

Asim, who considers his girlfriend as the most beautiful girl, is finally tying the knot with his beloved on December 1, almost a month after their engagement. 

“Of course it is a new beginning and I hope the course of life shall take a different turn after our marriage. Getting married will add more responsibility on my shoulder,” said the 23-year-old forward, who returned to competitive football after being sidelined due to knee injury for nearly two years.

The first competitive tournament that Asim played after picking up knee injury on November 2, 2014 during a training camp of the national team was the recently held Bikash Running Shield in Chitwan. 

Coincidentally, the tournament that concluded on Sunday also turned out to be his first tournament after getting engaged to the 20-year-old Sonira on October 23. 
During the tournament, Asim showed his magic at Narayanghat, Chitwan where he won two man-of-the-match titles in a row and also played a key role in Sankata Club’s title haul as his side defeated Tribhuvan Army Club 3-0 in the final.  

“It may be a sweet coincidence that I was named back-to-back man-of-the-match after my engagement. I think positive change in life motivates people,” said Asim, who started his career as a professional footballer since 2009 from Boys Union Club. Since then, he traded skills for New Road Team and is currently enrolled with Three Star Club.

Asim, one of the bright prospects of Nepali football, has won three international caps . His career almost ended after injuring his ACL ligament two years ago. But after undergoing medication and regular training, he returned back to the pitch with a bang. 

“I am optimistic that I will again make it to the national squad. I will even work hard and my performance and result of Chitwan could be a turning point in my professional career,” shared Asim, who also runs a hardware business in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur with two partners. 

Sonira, who represented Nepal in the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) in February earlier this year in 100 m and 200 m backstroke events and team event, is a renowned figure in Nepali swimming. 

She describes Asim as a caring person with positive vibes. 

Asim-Sonira affair 

Asim and Sonira met for the first time during 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to October 4. Asim was a member of the men’s U-23 football team and Sonira represented Nepali women’s swimming team and featured in women’s 100 m and 50 m breaststroke. As the athletes of the same country, they were introduced to each other for the first time in Korea.

“We were introduced to the entire football team as a formality in Korea,” said Sonira. “Following that, we were connected in social media. However, we rarely spoke in social media until the recent SAG,” said Sonira referring to the event held from February 5-16 in India.

“We had frequent interactions after SAG and he proposed to me. He asked me if I would marry him,” said Sonira with a blush. “I was speechless and shocked to hear such proposal,” said Sonira. “I did not answer in the early phase, but later we interacted frequently and became close with each other.”

Twenty-three-year-old Asim sometimes feels that he is quite young to get married. However, he describes it as his fate and also a matter of time. 

“The decision of marriage was made by our families rather than by us,” said Asim, who lives with his younger sister in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur. Asim’s father works in France while his mother expired three years ago due to cancer.  

“Me and my sister are almost alone at our home. I was desperately in need of someone who is close to me and understands me. My dad had arrived about a month ago and it was he and Sonira’s parents who decided to get us married. I am happy with the decision,” he said. 

Sonira, a plus two graduate, said she had never expected that it would happen so fast and has vowed to continue swimming. 



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