Rupak Raj Sharma

Rupak Raj Sharma (; 23 January 1954 – 28 September 1992) was a Nepali footballer who played as midfielder, and FIFA referee. Sharma played for the Nepal national football team from 1972 to 1985, and was a member of the FIFA refereeing panel from 1986 until 1992, when he died as result of the PIA Flight 268 crash.

Club career Sharma made his domestic football debut with Boys Union Club. He also played for Shree Panch Mahendra Club.

International career Sharma played for the Nepal national football team from 1972 until 1985, and captained the national side for 11 years since 1974.

Refereeing career After retiring as player, Sharma turned to refereeing, becoming the first Nepali to get a FIFA referee license in 1986. The next day, upon on the way home from Pakistan after the match, Sharma died along with the other three assistant referees of the match, Shyam Shrestha, Roshan Kumar Shrestha and Hira Ratna Bajracharya, in the PIA Flight 268 crash which crashed in the Bhattedanda, Nepal.

Legacy During his playing years, Rupak Raj Sharma received the Best Player award in 1981. The All Nepal Football Association also set up an annual award called Rupak Memorial Award, which has been honouring football personalities in memory of his name.

In 2013, the Nepal Post issued six new postage stamps honouring five different Nepali personalities including Sharma.