A determined and spirited effort – that is how the chief executive officer of the Cape Cobras, Nabeal Dien, described the remarkable recovery by the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) in erasing debt of R5.1 million in the absence of a team sponsor, while also reducing the historic debt level by R1.3 million.
Dien also announced at the annual general meeting of the WPCA that the Cape Cobras had secured a team naming right sponsor for one year from 1st May 2016.
The chief executive officer also outlined a ten-point strategic plan focused on streamlining the approach to amateur development and a more active marketing drive for the team, stadium and amateur programs.
Dien announced WPCA’s intent to formulate a commercial plan for the stadium and a planned overhaul of financial contracts.
“The 2015/2016-season was the first one since unity was established in 1991/1992 that a team sponsor was not on board. It resulted in a R5.1 million deficit. WPCA, through various commendable initiatives, managed to generate the income to break even,” said Dien.
“We also reduced the long-term debt by R1.3 million,” he added.
Dien paid special tribute to the boardnd the independents.
“To the WPCA board members and in particular the independents, thank you for your surgical interventions in assisting with improving particularly the governance and financial areas of the organization,” Dien said.
Omar Sonday, the WPCA treasurer, highlighted the fact that WPCA secured profit for the year of R2 273 629,00.
Beresford Wiliams, the WPCA-president, commended the vigilance of the board members and the determination and dedication of the CEO and his operational team for their efforts in allowing the WPCA to survive a year in troubled waters.
Williams applauded the provincial women’s team for winning the national 50-over tournament in Bloemfontein and for obliterating all-comers in the T20-campaign.
He also saluted WP’s club cricket and the HUBS/RPC–program for claiming the bragging rights and number-1 position nationally on the CSA incentive scorecard.
The president said the failure of the Cape Cobras to lift a trophy last season should not be dismissed easily.
A SWOT-analysis is needed on why there were so many close tussles, yet so few ecstatic moments.
“Transformation remains our most challenging task and our efforts to advance change now and not tomorrow is a critical agenda objective,” he said.
If WPCA fail to seize the day now in terms of transformation, future generations will judge them harshly, he warned.
