Writer · British Raj
Anthony de Mello
Anthony Stanislaus de Mello (1900–1961) was an Indian cricket administrator, sports organizer, and one of the founders of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He served as BCCI president from 1946 to 1951 and played an important role in organizing the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951.
Selected bibliography
| Year | Work |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Cesta k lásce: poslední meditace Anthonyho de Mella |
| 2001 | Modlitba žáby |
| 2011 | Rediscovering life: awaken to reality |
| 2021 | K pramenům: kniha duchovních cvičení |
| 2022 | Nepotřebuješ se změnit: jsi jedinečný |
| — | Awareness |
| — | Contact with God |
| — | The Way to Love |
Biography
Anthony de Mello
Anthony Stanislaus de Mello (11 October 1900 – 24 May 1961) was an Indian cricket administrator, sports organizer, and former first-class cricketer. He was one of the key figures in the early development of organized cricket in India and was involved in the establishment of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Early Life and Education
Anthony de Mello was born on 11 October 1900 in Karachi, then part of the Bombay Presidency of British India, into a Goan family. He studied at St. Patrick's High School, Sind College, and later Downing College, University of Cambridge.
Cricket Administration
De Mello worked closely with R. E. Grant Govan in Delhi and became involved in efforts to establish a national cricket organization. The BCCI was formally founded in December 1928, with Grant Govan as its first president and De Mello as secretary.
De Mello served as BCCI secretary during its early years and later became its president from 1946 to 1951. He was also involved in establishing the Cricket Club of India (CCI).
First-Class Cricket
Although primarily known as an administrator, De Mello also played first-class cricket. He was a right-arm medium-pace bowler and played 11 first-class matches, taking 17 wickets. His best bowling figures were 6 wickets for 66 runs.
Asian Games and Sports Administration
De Mello played a major organizational role in Indian sport beyond cricket. He served as chairman of the organizing committee for the first Asian Games, held in New Delhi in 1951.
In 1948, he became the founding president of the Asian Cricket Conference. He also helped establish the National Sports Club of India and was involved in organizing major sporting events in India.
Author
De Mello wrote about Indian sport and published Portrait of Indian Sport in 1959. The book reflected his knowledge and experience of the development of organized sport in India.
Death
Anthony de Mello died on 24 May 1961 in Delhi, following a cancer operation. He was 60 years old.
Legacy
Anthony de Mello's name remains associated with Indian cricket history through the Anthony de Mello Trophy, awarded to the winner of an England–India Test series in India. The trophy was instituted in 1951.
Did you know?
**Did you know?** Anthony de Mello was not only a cricket administrator—he also chaired the organizing committee for the **first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951** and played an important role in the development of organized sports in India.
