Kiran Kumar Limbu (Nepali: किरण चेम्जोङ), also known as Kiran Chemjong [4] (born 24 March 1990), is a Nepalese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for I-League club RoundGlass Punjab and the Nepal national team.
![]() Chemjong with Nepal in 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Kiran Kumar Chemjong Limbu[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | (1990-03-24) 24 March 1990 (age 32)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Dhankuta, Nepal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||||||||
Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | RoundGlass Punjab | |||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
– | Anfa Acedemy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||
2008–2009 | Machhindra Football Club | |||||||||||||||||||||
2009–2016 | Three Star Club | |||||||||||||||||||||
2016–2017 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | |||||||||||||||||||||
2017–2018 | TC Sports Club | |||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | Minerva Punjab | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | TC Sports Club | |||||||||||||||||||||
2019–2020 | RoundGlass Punjab | 20 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | Dhangadhi FC | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
2021–2022 | Maziya S&RC | |||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | RoundGlass Punjab | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2008– | Nepal | 85[3] | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
Honours
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Born in Dhankuta, Chemjong graduated from the ANFA Academy and joined the Machhindra Football Club. After spending one year at the club Chemjong's impressive performances earned him a move to the Three Star Club in 2007. He has won British Gurkha Cup and Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament. After being the best goalkeeper of south Asia of the time, Kiran was offered by TC Sports Club in January 2017. He played his first game for TC Sports Club in February 2017 and showed impressive performance, helping the club to win the match by 1–0.[5]
On January 23, 2018, he signed a deal with Hero I League club, Minerva Punjab F.C. for an undisclosed amount.[citation needed] He made his debut for the club in an away fixture against NEROCA. He saved a penalty in the 50th minute against East Bengal, which was taken by Katsumi Yusa. He was adjudged as the hero-of-the-match for that fine save.[6] Kiran made total of 8 appearances for the club. He eventually won the 2017–18 I-League with Minerva.[7]
In September 2022, he signed for I-League club RoundGlass Punjab.[8][9]
He is currently considered as the first choice goalkeeper in Nepal. He has a height advantage over more senior keepers like Bikash Malla and Ritesh Thapa. He has produced brilliant displays against oppositions bringing wide acclaims.[10] Chemjong played debut match for Nepal in 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, although he broke his jaw in the match.[5] He debuted at the home ground against Afghanistan.[11]
In the 2012 Nehru Cup, Chemjong won the man of the match award in Nepal's game with India.[12] His performance in the match earned praise from the Indian newspaper The Hindu and from the Maldives head coach István Urbányi.[13]
In 2015, along with Three Star teammate Bishnu Gurung, Chemjong paid a visit to malnourished children in an orphanage in Pokhara, saying afterwards that it was a "day to remember".[14] On 31 August 2022, He married with his long time girlfriend Kanchan Niraula.[15]
Minerva Punjab
TC Sports
Maziya S&RC
Individual
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