KATHMANDU: The Ganesh Enterprises Pvt Ltd rewarded the 11th South Asian Games Road Race gold medallist Rajendra Bhandari with a Suzuki GS 150R motorcycle today.

As per their announcement, the company felicitated the long distance runner Bhandari with the motorcycle worth Rs 185,000 at a ceremony today. The company had announced motorbikes to athletics medal winners before the Dhaka regional meet. Competing in marathon, Rajendra was the only athlete to clinch a medal in the SA Games. The marathon was later termed as the road race after the so-called marathon course was found to be short by at least five kilometres.

The Minister of Defence Bidhya Devi Bhandari handed over the bike keys to the athlete. Thanking the initiation of the Nepal Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) and the company, athlete Bhandari credited Nepali Army for his success at the regional meet. “It was due to the immense support from my institution that helped me earn a gold medal. I am proud to be part of the Nepal Army,” said the athlete.

Bhandari had also won two gold medals — 5,000m and 3000m steeplechase — at the 10th SA Games in Colombo but was stripped off the medals after testing positive in doping. The NAAA also felicitated various institutions and individuals for their contribution to the sport.

Ganesh Enterprises General Manger Raju Bahadur Chhetri also announced Rs 25,000 each to athletes winning gold in any of the regional meets in the next 24 months. Managing Director of Ganesh Enterprises Amar Raj Rajkarnikar, Nepal Olympic Committee Vice President Rabi Raj Thapa, National Sports Council Vice President Pitambar Timilsina, NSC Member Secretary Hari Babu Chaudhary and NAAA General Secretary Rabi Raj Rajkarnikar were also present on the occasion.