“When Mr de Mello enters a room you feel that here is a man among men. His optimism is infectious. If he promised you the Empire State Building, you would be sure of one thing; he would move heaven and earth to fulfil it.” That is the impression Sir Frank Worrell formed about Anthony S de Mello when he first met him during his visit to India with the Commonwealth team. A dedicated, incorrigible dreamer who got himself involved in one grandiose scheme after another all his life for the great good of sports as well for the glory of personal achievement. That was de Mello. To him, the cricket public of India owe a large debt of gratitude. He played the leading role in the formation of the BCCI and the CCI and the Delhi and District Cricket Association. It was through his untiring efforts that the National Cricket Championship of India for the Ranji Trophy was born. De Mello was the first Secretary of the Board and continued in that office for 10 long years. Later, he became its President.

Anthony de Mello