By Ravi Nagahawatte

Lalith Priyantha, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated table tennis players, announced last week that he didn’t wish to hold any portfolios in the sport’s governing body in future.

Priyantha, the Media spokesman and co-ordinator for international affairs in the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) at the time of making this announcement served in this capacity for a period of one year. He also held the posts of President and Vice President in the association after retiring as a top ranked player and a former national captain.

Priyantha might not be rated as a highly skilled organiser. But his ability to converse with people from all walks of life made the TTASL benefit from his role as the media co-ordinator.

He was in constant contact with Lilamani De Zoysa of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and got down tables for the local players to practice.

Priyantha got on with journalists and reporters like a house on fire.

He understood the role of media men and provided information without much fuss. The most important factor regarding his role as media spokesman was that he made himself available for comment 24 hours a day!.

According to Priyantha he has got two fractions in the table tennis circles to get together and form the administrative committee for the year 2002. "I thank Director of Sports Milton Amarasinghe for helping to bring these two parties together," Priyantha said at a press briefing he hosted at the Otter Aquatic Club.

Priyantha said that he hopes to concentrate on his coaching classes in future. In this sophisticated world the role of media co-ordinator is a must in any sports organisation. Priyantha showed how it should be done in a ruthlessly efficient manner.