Nepal’s women’s national team captain and the country’s all-time leading goal scorer, Sabitra Bhandari aka Samba, has thanked her well-wishers for the financial support and, as the required fund has been raised, she has requested to stop sending more.

Samba had reached out to the fans through her Facebook page on Monday, requesting funds for the surgery and rehab after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft during a Ninja A-League match for her New Zealand-based club, Wellington Phoenix FC, against Brisbane Roar on January 3.

Samba had sought $80,000 from the fans for the treatment and rehab purposes as the insurance from the League could not cover her treatment in the Qatar-based Aspetar, one of the best orthopaedic and sports medicine hospitals in the world, and an insufficient support from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), alongside nothing from the state.

She had shared the bank account details of Nepal, alongside a crowdfunding of NZ$135,000 was being raised through the New Zealand-based givealittle.co.nz.

“More than Rs10 million has been deposited into my Nepali bank account, and around Rs4.5 million (NZ$52,000) has been raised through international platforms,” Samba wrote on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon. “Institutions that sponsor me, along with many organisations in Nepal, have also pledged financial and logistical support. This appears to cover not only my medical expenses but also accommodation and transportation costs during my treatment in Qatar.”

Similarly, she also informed that Wellington Phoenix released the insurance amount, while it is supporting her treatment and rehab with additional support.

Responding to the Post’s email, the club had also assured that it would completely back Samba in every possible way to see her return to the field in yellow and black.

Thanking the helping hands, Samba added, “Therefore, from today, I kindly request everyone to stop further financial contributions to both accounts.”

Still, even after her post, funds are pouring in. By 6:40pm Nepali time, over NZ$55,000 (approx USD32,722) had been raised.

“This injury exhausted me not only physically but also mentally. But your support has given me the courage to rise again. It has reminded me that I am not alone,” she wrote. “I say this with firm determination: I will return. I will return stronger. I will once again wear the Nepal jersey and step onto the field — for my country, for you, and for the belief that has carried me forward.”