Sport Minister Underscores Importance of CPL Franchise Return to Jamaica

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, has emphasised the significance of Jamaica’s return to the Caribbean Premier League T20 cricket competition, noting that the tournament plays a vital role in revitalising regional interest in the sport.

Jamaica has officially re-entered the CPL with the launch of a new franchise, the ‘Jamaica Kingsmen’, marking a major milestone for cricket and sports development on the island.

The announcement was made during a press briefing at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday (March 31).

Minister Grange described the development as significant, noting Jamaica’s unmatched sporting atmosphere, particularly at Sabina Park, which continues to stand as a premier venue for cricket.

“Where else is there a better atmosphere to enjoy our game than Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica?” she remarked.

Ms. Grange asserted, “For all its success, one essential element has been missing from the CPL, and that has been Jamaica,” while declaring with confidence, “we are in it to win it.”

The Minister noted that the partnership with the new franchise forms part of a broader sports development strategy, aimed at strengthening cricket from the grassroots level through to high performance.

Meanwhile, Ms. Grange underscored the importance of youth development across the island, stressing that deliberate efforts will be made to identify and nurture talent from an early stage.

“We want to expose more of our young boys and girls across the island to the rudiments of cricket at a very early age. We want to identify talent very early, nurture it, and unleash it on the world,” the Minister said.

She further indicated that advancing women’s cricket will receive focused attention, noting that it remains a key priority within the overall development framework.

Ms. Grange added that the long-term goal is to achieve success for both male and female teams within the CPL structure.

“We will add the CPL with the Kingsmen to the list of titles, not only on the men’s side but also on the women’s side,” she stated.

Franchise owner, Pakistan-born, United States (US)-based businessman, Fawad Sarwar, described the opportunity as a major personal milestone and the fulfilment of a long-held ambition, declaring, “This is a childhood dream come true…; it’s definitely a very, very huge moment for me.”

He noted that his appreciation for Jamaica’s cricket legacy began at an early age, shaped by memories of watching the game with his father.

“I understand the history of Jamaica because my dad taught me. I was a little kid growing up and watching all those games, all those greats,” Mr. Sarwar said.

He added that he values and respects Jamaica’s cricket legacy, which strongly influenced his decision to take on the franchise. He went on to explain the meaning behind the team’s name, noting its spiritual inspiration and the values it represents.

“As far as I am concerned, there’s only one King, and that’s the man upstairs, and we are the Kingsmen. So that’s what I’m going to call Jamaica – Jamaica Kingsmen,” Mr. Sarwar said.

He also outlined plans for sustained engagement beyond the tournament period, emphasising that the franchise intends to remain active year-round and involved at multiple levels.

“We want to make sure we’re not here only for one, 1 1/2 months a year. We want to make sure our footprint is there for 12 months… 24/7,” Mr. Sarwar added.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, welcomed the return of the CPL and expressed his full support for the initiative.

He noted that cricket remains an integral part of Jamaica’s cultural identity and community life, with deep historical roots across the island.

The Mayor added that the staging of CPL matches in Kingston is expected to generate excitement and activity, while attracting passionate supporters of the sport.

Councillor Swaby affirmed the city’s readiness to host and support the event, pledging to ensure its success through close collaboration with stakeholders.