Santoo Shrestha, Nepal No 1 table tennis player, will be out of action for more than a month after fracturing his right leg in a motorbike accident in Baneshwor, Kathmandu, on Sunday.

His motorbike was hit by a speeding micro-bus in Baneshwar on his way to his College in Dillibazar. He was rushed to the Annapurna Neuro Hospital in Maitighar for treatment. The injury meant Shrestha will also miss the final table tennis qualifying event for the 13th South Asian Games, which begins on Thursday. Nepal is hosting the Games from December 1 to 10 in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

"The x-ray report has revealed a fracture in his right leg and the doctors have already started his treatment. Doctors have suggested him to take rest for at least five to six weeks," said Nabita Shrestha, Nepal No 1 female table tennis player and also the mentor of the player.

Nepal Table Tennis Association President Chaturananda Vaidhya said that the accident was a big blow to Nepal's bid to claim medals at the Games." He has already informed in writing on his unavailability for the qualifying event. He has also requested the association to consider him for the Games," said Vaidhya. "The coaching staff also told me that his absence would be a hammer blow to Nepal. His chances of featuring in the regional Games will depend on his recovery."

"Simply removing the bandage can not ensure his place for the Games. We need to follow the recommendations of doctors. As he is a major asset of Nepali table tennis, we can not risk him if he is not deemed perfectly fit for the rigours of competition," said Vaidhya.