# Saru Limbu

Saru Limbu (Nepali: सरु लिम्बु; born 6 March 1999) is a Nepalese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Nepali national team. She has played for the Indian Women's League club Kickstart FC.

## Early life

Growing up in her hometown in Morang District, Limbu used to watch local football matches, and her friends and cousins influenced her to play football. Her talent was noticed by a teacher who contacted football coach Bikram Dhimal. After watching her play, Dhimal coached the team at Pathari Shanishchare-7, Kirtipur (Bal Kalyan School Ground) where she joined the local New Star Club, Kirtipur. New Star Club and the club organizers Diwas Limbu and Biroj Magar were the god fathers of Saru because this club has initiated lady football tournaments in a remote village (Kirtipur) at that time. New Star Club has won ANFA U-15 woman football with Saru's team. Many national players are produced by this club. Playing for New Star she attracted the attention of bigger clubs including Nepal A.P.F. Club.

## Club career

In 2016, APF offered her a contract. Initially, Limbu's family did not want her to go, but, as it was a departmental team where she would have more than just a football job, her family agreed. When she joined APF, key players such as Anu Lama and Sajana Rana were injured, so Limbu got an immediate chance to play. After a dominant performance in the Chief of Army Staff Cup, she was called up to Nepal women's national football team. After consistently performing well at club level and in closed camps, she was selected for Nepal's squad for the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship.
In March 2021, Limbu was one of four Nepal national team players recruited to play in the 2021 edition of Pakistan's National Women Football Championship, for Masha United in Karachi. The side finished top of its group, scoring 60 goals in four matches. These included a 19–0 win over Sialkot (Limbu scoring 10 goals), a 4–0 triumph over Higher Education Commission, a 35–0 victory over Karachi (Limbu again scoring 10), and a 2–2 draw with Karachi United. They reached the semi-finals before the tournament was cancelled.
She returned to play in Nepal's domestic league for Nepal A.P.F. Club.

## International career

In 2018, Limbu captained Nepal's under-18 women's team at the SAFF U-18 Championship in Bhutan.
| Year | Tournament | Team | Host Country | Achievement |
| 2016 | SAFF Championship | Nepal National Team | India | |
| 2016 | South Asian Games | Nepal National Team | India | Silver Medal |
| 2016 | Friendlies: Nepal VS Malaysia | Nepal National Team | Nepal | |
| 2018 | SAFF U-18 Championship | Nepal National Team | Bhutan | Second |
| 2018 | Olympic Qualification | Nepal National Team | Thailand | |
| 2018 | Olympic Qualification | Nepal National Team | Myanmar | |
| 2018 | Friendly Match | Nepal National Team | Hong Kong | |
| 2018 | Friendly Match | Nepal National Team | China | |
| 2019 | Gold Cup | Nepal National Team | India | Second |
| 2019 | Friendly Match | Nepal National Team | Barahin | |
| 2019 | NSZADA Cup | Nepal National Team | Kyzatistan | |
| 2019 | South Asian Games | Nepal National Team | Nepal | Silver Medal |
| 2021 | Friendlies: Nepal VS Bangladesh | Nepal National Team | Nepal | |
| 2021 | AFC Asian Cup | Nepal National Team | Uzbekistan | |
| 2024 | SAFF Women's Championship | Nepal National Team | Nepal | Silver Medal |

## International goals

    As of match played on 21 October 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Goals |
| Nepal |
| Nepal | 2021 | 1 |
| Nepal | 2024 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 1 |
    Scores and results list Nepal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Limbu goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 12 September 2022 | Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal | Sri Lanka | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2022 SAFF Women's Championship |

## Honours

Kickstart
* Indian Women's League runner-up: 2022–23
Individual
| Year | Tournament | Award |
| 2072 | COAS International Women Football Tournament | Best Midfielder |
| 2078 | Chief Minister BYC Women Gold Cup | Best Midfielder |
| 2021 | National Women League | Most Valuable Player |