New CPL franchise owners to invest over US$3m

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has revealed that Kingsmen Sports Enterprise is set to invest over US$3 million to establish new Jamaican franchises in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) competitions.

The United States-based Kingsmen, owned by Pakistan-born businessman Fawad Sarwar, has committed annual investments of US$2.75 million to operate a professional men’s team as well as US$500,000 to establish and operate a professional women’s CPL team.

Grange made the announcements during a recent meeting of Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee that examined the 2026-27 Estimates of Expenditure ahead of the Budget debate, which gets under way today.

The CPL will be returning to Sabina Park for the first time since 2019.

Additionally, the minister said the CPL had decided to waive fees for Jamaica’s home games at Sabina Park this year, with the country still rebounding from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

“With the return of the Jamaica-based franchise, four matches are scheduled to be played at the iconic Sabina Park, marking the return of CPL matches to Jamaica for the first time since 2019.

“CPL will waive the fee this year, which is normally a part of the host agreement, in consideration of Hurricane Melissa and its impact on the country. Therefore, Jamaica’s input will be primarily value in kind,” Grange said.

The minister said Kingsman Sports Enterprise had also committed to focusing on grass-roots cricket programmes for the youth.

Grange said details would be worked out jointly and would involve collaboration with the Jamaican Government and corporate stakeholders to deliver measurable benefits.

She also disclosed that Kingsmen had promised to invest in sporting infrastructure to position Jamaica as a hub for elite T20 cricket and to ensure global exposure.