By Frederick Halley
HIGHLY skilled in the field of Business Intelligence and Technology in the Property & Casualty (P&C) Insurance Industry, Guyana-born Praimnauth Persaud- popularly known as Praim-holds the prestigious post of Vice-president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tritech Insurance Systems Inc., based in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, a post he has held since January 2018.

Prior to that promotion, Persaud had been Vice-president since January 1990, a period of 31 years and four months.

A staunch cricket administrator and former player, Persaud was inducted into the USA Cricket Hall of Fame in October 2020, which recognises those individuals who played the sunshine game at the highest level and have dedicated their lives to the promotion and preservation of the ideals of cricket.

According to Persaud, he has established a solid reputation and track record of delivering solutions that meet and exceed the expectations of companies that he has automated in the P&C Industry.

Persaud jurisdictions include Canadian, American, Caribbean and European – all insurance protocols and regulatory requirements, individual companies’ internal and external business nuances, unique processes, and workflows in automating their business requirements and client services.

“I have acquired a very proficient and astute P&C Insurance knowledge background, as well as unique business requirement skills. I have also designed very flexible and highly functional solutions that address the needs of the different jurisdictions – each with unique nuances of the insurance companies and producers that are unique to solution,” Persaud explained.

Persaud has been a servant of cricket, 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 the 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 during the virtual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Persaud expressed thanks to executive members of the Hall of Fame for considering his contributions to the sport in Canada and in the USA, as being worthwhile of induction into 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 inductee pointed out that during his almost 45 years of being involved in cricket, “I have many individuals that[sic] 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 (BEDCL), which he has led for the past 35 years, listing Arsalan Baig, Gokul Kamat, Rumi Jasavala, Denny Eapen and Manish Tomer.

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.

“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.

Persaud was also a driving force in the venue change of the Global T20 Canada to the Flower City of Brampton after its initial staging in King City, following fruitful discussions with then-President of Cricket Canada, Ranjit Saini, who had indicated that he wanted the tournament to be staged at a more centrally located venue.

The suggestion found favour with then city’s mayoral nominee Patrick Brown and was an eventual success. Brown not only supported the venture but also made a series of cricket-related promises should he be elected to office.

Following his election as Mayor of Brampton, Brown has more than fulfilled most of the promises he made to Persaud, including the introduction of the first LED-lit, full-size cricket field in Brampton and following up on a commitment to construct a state-of-the-art cricket stadium that should serve to improve the skills of local and national players, as well as attract a higher class of cricket and international players to participate in such events.

The BEDCL league continues to flourish and grow in stature as the largest in North America, with an annual application of new teams in the range of 25 to 35 each year. The 2022 season has a record number of 104 teams that have applied to participate in the three formats – 50 Over, T25 and Night T20.

Despite the challenges imposed by COVID-19, BEDCL was able to stage very successful seasons in 2020 and 2021, with approximately 148 and 168 teams respectively across the T25 and 50-over formats, and this also included night cricket in 2021.

BECDL had also contemplated launching a Youth League, a Seniors Competition and a Women competition – but these have been delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19. Efforts will, however be made to stage these tournaments this year.

Persaud continues to work with the mayor, councillors, commissioners, directors, managers and various levels of city staff in monthly and special, convened meetings to ensure that the sport of cricket is given equal attention and consideration from all perspectives as the other traditional mainstream sport disciplines in the city and Canada.

On this front, he is very thankful for the support that he has received from all city stakeholders and is very thankful for their recognition of the sport and its demands, as well as the need to elevate the standards to what is expected of ICC-approved playing conditions that are conducive to building better and highly skilled players.

Persaud is supported by a very strong, dedicated, committed and highly skilled Board of Directors that have been with him every step of the way to build, grow, develop and administer the sport for everyone who wants to be part of the BEDCL experience. Together, they have taken BEDCL to be recognised in Ontario across Canada as one of the best-managed organisations committed to providing an equal opportunity for all teams across all formats. His other executives include Gokul Kamat – Vice-president, Rumi Jasvala — Treasurer, Manish Tomer – Secretary, Arsalan Baig – Umpires Coordinator and Denny Eapen – Statistician & Website & Technology Expert.

Born at Stewartville Pasture, West Coast Demerara, Persaud attended the Leonora Government School and Zeeburg Secondary before migrating to Canada in 1972. He graduated from Concorde University, Montreal, Quebec, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science – Business & Systems Analyst from Dawson College. Married to Kamla Devi Lallram, the couple has two sons – the eldest being Robin and the other Darren.