Premier Insurance to be DCB T10’s first franchise

Preparations for the Demerara Cricket Board’s (DCB) upcoming T10 tournament have received an important boost, with Premier Insurance becoming the first corporate entity to officially confirm its participation as a franchise team.
The eight-team tournament is scheduled for November 22 this year, at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Ground, East Coast Demerara, and is being organised as part of the DCB’s wider effort to strengthen corporate involvement in cricket while generating additional support for its developmental programmes.
Premier Insurance’s entry represents an encouraging start to the franchise component of the tournament and underscores the growing interest from the business community in supporting cricket development in Demerara.
The company’s franchise will be captained by talented all-rounder Yeudistir Persaud, with the remainder of the squad expected to be finalised ahead of the tournament.

At a presentation ceremony held at Premier Insurance’s High Street, Georgetown office, DCB Assistant Secretary Ronald Williams accepted the company’s support on behalf of the Board.
Williams expressed the DCB’s appreciation to Premier Insurance for becoming the first franchise partner and said the Board is particularly encouraged by the company’s willingness to invest directly in an initiative designed to benefit cricket at several levels.
He noted that the tournament is not only intended to provide an exciting competitive format but also to create meaningful opportunities for young players while assisting the DCB in sustaining its youth and female cricket programmes.
Premier Insurance General Manager Anil Singh also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting cricket and youth development, noting its previous involvement with cricket organisations in Guyana.
The Premier Insurance franchise will be aiming to make an immediate impact when the tournament bowls off, with captain Persaud already setting his sights on the championship and the GY$1 million first prize.
Under the tournament structure, each franchise will consist of 15 players, with at least 12 players required to be from Demerara. A maximum of three players from outside the county will be permitted.
In keeping with the DCB’s developmental focus, every franchise must also include two Under-19 players, with at least one Under-19 player included in the playing XI.
The DCB believes this requirement will ensure that emerging players are provided with valuable exposure alongside more established cricketers.
Matches are scheduled to commence at 10:00h, and continue into the evening under lights, with admission set at GY$1000.