….BEDCL president Persaud elated over news

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – Guyanese-born Praimp Persaud is considered more than a household name whenever cricket is mentioned in Canadian cricket circles, after dedicating more than half of his life to the sunshine game.

Persaud, who is the long-standing president of both Brampton Etobicoke District Cricket League (BEDCL) and Cricket Ontario, played a pivotal role in the just-concluded staging of the second edition of Global T20 Cricket Canada.

It was through his initiative and the unequivocal support of the Mayor and City Council of Brampton that the CAA Centre was chosen and upgraded for use during the tournament.
Persaud has also been able to convince Mayor Patrick Brown and his executives of the need for a cricket stadium and this will indeed become a reality in the not-too-distant future.

In a recent interview with the Toronto Sun, Mayor Brown gave the assurance that “with the ever-changing demographics of our city and with the enthusiasm I have seen during this tournament (Global T20), we have decided Brampton will be the capital of cricket in Canada.’’

According to Brown, the realisation that the country needs a world-class facility was driven home during the second Global T20 League.

Reports in the Toronto Sun indicated that in order to stage the Global T20 Canada at the CAA Centre, “turf was transported from Indianapolis for a new wicket and a plush new field laid out in less than three months at a cost of US$3M, and according to Gurmeet Singh, owner and CEO of Bombay Sports Club of the GT20 League, these annual costs could be utilised in other areas if a stadium is built as soon as possible”.

Persaud was understandably elated over the news, and according to a post in his Facebook page, he pointed out that “Brampton roars again as another milestone is being committed. That was one of the promises made by our Mayor Patrick Brown. Cricket is again on the horizon following in the tracks of a very successful GT20.”

Persaud descried the decision as “fantastic news and a great development for the sport of cricket in the City of Brampton. He pointed out that “GT20 clearly defines the need for a state-of-the-art cricket facility in our country, as all other mainstream sports have one and despite the fact that cricket is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada, it does not (have one).”

Persaud posited that “it is more deserving in the city that has the largest cricket league in Canada and aptly defines it as being the fastest growing sport in our city, where the demand far exceeds the current facilities”.

Persaud further acknowledged that there’s a huge demand for cricket facilities in Brampton and every other city across Ontario and Canada.

Persaud has served the sport of cricket, both as a player and an administrator for the past 45 years and continues to do so at various levels. “I have contributed to its growth, development and visibility in the two Canadian provinces: Montreal Quebec, Canada for almost 10 years and the Province of Ontario, Canada – mainly in the Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, Etobicoke and other cities and districts for the last 35 plus years and counting.”