Shrestha’s wife Nilu Shrestha said the moment was not an easy one for her and to the people present at the programme. “He was friendly to all and always ready to help others. Football, ANFA and Three Star were always his priorities,” she said. “I have list a husband, my kids lost their father and other members lost a loving family member. Our lives will not be the same now as nothing can repair the loss,” Shrestha said. “Now i have to take care of my kids, raise them and make them responsible citizens,” she said. Shrestha also urged all the stakeholders in football to be united and work towards fulfiling the dreams of her husband.

ANFA President Ganesh Thapa said they would help the family of Shrestha and also announced youth tournament in his memory. “He was a simple and friendly person and an unanimous successor to lead the ANFA. “I am still in shock and it’s hard to believe that he is no more with us.

ANFA Competition Director Narendra Shrestha said Shrestha was a good companion. “We never had a single heated discussion in all these 25 years. He was such a nice guy,” Shrestha added. “We worked together for football and he was serious about the development of Nepali football,” he said.

Secretary at Ministry of Youth and Sports Dipendra Nath Sharma, Nepal Olympic Committee President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, National Sports Council Member Secretary Sakuntala Nagarkoti, former NSC Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama, National Sports Council Vice President Lama Tendi Sherpa, former NSC Vice President Pitambar Timsina, Nepal National and International Players Association President Deepak Bista and ANFA Honourary General Secretary Bir Bahadur Khadka paid tribute to Shrestha.

National team members, coaches, referees, officials from district FAs, ANFA Academy players, office bearers of ANFA, and sports journalists also paid tribute to Shrestha. Three Star Club are organising similar function in memory of Shrestha on Saturday.