Praim Persaud inducted into USA Cricket Hall of Fame
Praimnauth Persaud with wife Rose enjoying the ceremony in the comfort of their home
Praimnauth Persaud with wife Rose enjoying the ceremony in the comfort of their home

By Frederick Halley

THIS year marked the 39th since the USA Cricket Hall of Fame was established by the committee based in Hartford, Connecticut. It recognises those individuals who played the sunshine game at the highest level and those who dedicated their lives to the promotion and preservation of the ideals of cricket.

However, unlike previous years when honorees and guests were treated to sumptuous dinners and graced the dance floor, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forced the organisers to stage the ceremony via Zoom on Maq TV last Saturday night.

Among the honorees was Guyana-born Praimnauth ‘Praim’ Persaud. His wife Rose and sons Robin and Darren were also part of the ceremony from the comfort of their Brampton, Ontario home.

Persaud has been a servant of the game both as a player and administrator for the past 45 years and still continues to do so at various levels. He is credited to have contributed to the growth, development and visibility of cricket in two Canadian provinces – Montreal Quebec, for almost 10 years and Ontario, mainly in the Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, Etobicoke and other cities and districts for the last 35 plus years and counting.

Persaud is also a Special Adviser on Cricket to the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, and has successfully forged a very rewarding partnership with city council and all respective stakeholders of planning, development, infrastructure and funding, as well as parks and maintenance – all of whom are now committed to working on the current and future growth of cricket in the City.

Currently the vice-president of Cricket Ontario after serving previously as president, Persaud pointed out that he intends to continue his voluntary services to the sport at both the League and Cricket Ontario at the Provincial Level.

In an eloquent thank-you speech on Saturday night, Persaud expressed thanks to the executive members of the Hall of Fame for considering his contributions to the sport in Canada and in the USA as being worthwhile of an induction in the prestigious body.

According to Persaud, a major part of his life has always been driven and occupied by his work and career, “as well as my dedication, commitment and passion for the sport of cricket – both as a player and administrator.”

The new inductee pointed out that during his almost 45 years of being involved in cricket, “I have many individuals that I have had the good fortune to have met and worked with for the betterment of our sport and I will like to take the time to say ‘thank you’ for your assistance and contribution on that journey.”

Persaud was also supportive of the executive board members of the Brampton-Etobicoke & District Cricket League (BEDC) which he has led for the past 35 years, listing Arsalan Baig, Gokul Kamat, Rumi Jasavala, Denny Eapen and Manish Tomer.

Persaud took the opportunity to congratulate the other Inductees as well as the Special Awards recipients for their recognition and contribution to the sport of cricket in their respective territories. “I will also like to acknowledge and thank my friend Shah Zafar (Cricket Ontario president) for sponsoring my application and forwarding it to the Cricket Hall of Fame for due consideration.

Former Brampton Mayor Susan Fennel, Director of Parks Don Doan and current Mayor Patrick Brown were also praised for their assistance for the growth, promotion and development of cricket in Brampton.

Members of Cricket Canada – Persaud had the privilege of working with them -, were also lauded for their efforts for developing the game at the national level.

Among the other Hall of Fame inductees were former India batting star Dilip Vengsarkar and Pakistani Shoaib Mohammad, son of the great Hanif Mohammad.

The Cricket Hall of Fame was founded in 1981 to honour those who have made outstanding performances in the sport, helped to foster the game’s growth and development in the USA and also those who have made recognisable contributions in their communities. 

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