Vido Mgadle is the newly appointed president of the Border Cricket Board (BCB). He beat Colin Wilson in a closely run and sometimes heated election for the presidency on July 18.
Prior to the election, there were rumours that Mgadle had canvassed various cricket clubs in the country areas in clandestine meetings to win extra votes.
However, he was not prepared to comment on these allegations.
”I deeply appreciate the cheerful and invigorating role played by our clubs and all stakeholders who brought about this conclusion, thus mandating us to lead Border into the future,” said Mgadle.
”This I promise we will do with respect and dignity. I wish to convey my congratulations to the newly elected board members and to those retaining their seats. I wish them success in meeting their obligation as servants of the board.
”While accepting this responsibility, I am aware that none of us acting alone can achieve success and it is against this background that I call for a united workforce to meet the demands of our cause and also wish to place on record a word of gratefulness to Colin Wilson who has been acting president for the last 12 months. His efforts have not gone unnoticed.”
Mgadle, who is married with four children, grew up in the King William’s Town area where he played for the Brotherly Cricket Club, a club that has been going strong for 77 years.
He served as chairperson of Good Hope Cricket Club, as well as treasurer, and was a permanent delegate to the old non-racial Border Cricket Board, prior to 1990.
He has managed Border teams and umpired league matches.
Mgadle was a founder member of the Amacalegusha Cricket league and drafted the constitution of the league while working hard to take it to its present status, as part of the South African Country Districts tournament.
One of Mgadle’s main ambitions is to improve the communication channels between stakeholders and the management and executive of the BCB.
He fully realises he holds the reins for cricketers of all races in the province and to this end he will endeavour to carry the BCB mission and vision to all sectors of the cricket community.
Mgadle is also aware that sponsors play a huge role in Border cricket and his aim is to satisfy and maintain all sponsors.
He is keen to see Mercedes-Benz Park in East London filled to capacity at all home matches and will go out of his way to improve spectatorship. Standards must also be kept high and a proper and sound administration is essential.
Mgadle has a definite policy concerning schoolboy cricketers who advance to club level and his aim is to ensure that players bridge that gap with as few problems as possible.
Therefore, development of players of all races is on his agenda.
”We must develop a winning culture on the Border. At the end of the day I’d like to see a trophy standing in our trophy cupboard,” added Mgadle.
”Our youngsters can develop well in the new franchise and with the correct handling they can go on to play international cricket.” — Sapa