Caribbean Life, October 16-22, 2020 41
Jamaican government holds
faith in Tallawahs
By George Alleyne
They carry an overall losing
record, having won only
two instances in the eight
times the annual Caribbean
Premier League tournament
but government has sworn to
an abiding faith in the Jamaica
Tallawahs.
They began the T20 tourney
with a bang by winning
the initial series involving
six Caribbean cricket teams
in 2013 and carting off the
champion’s trophy, but managed
to repeat the feat only
once, in 2016.
They were 3rd in 2014, 4th
in 2015, 4th in 2017 and 2018,
6th in 2019, and 4th again
this year.
The Gleaner newspaper has
reported the Jamaica government
nonetheless swearing
for its team through
Sport Minister, Olivia ‘Babsy’
Grange, who last week said
while it supports of all sporting
activities, continued promotion
of the Tallawahs goes
beyond the game and benefits
the island tremendously.
“The partnership between
the ministry and the Jamaica
Tallawahs is seen as an
integral component, not just
for the promotion of Jamaica
as a sport tourism destination,
but the development of
the sport. T20 cricket is now
one of the largest sports products
around the world, given
the party-like atmosphere
it provides and the general
entertainment value of this
format of the game,” Grange
said.
“Wherever it is played, loyal
fans, and those who were not
previously attracted to the
game alike, seem to be easily
excited by the atmosphere.
The ministry is firm in its
drive to position Jamaica as a
leading sports tourism destination,
and so we see this as
an opportunity to capitalise
on the partnership.”
The Jamaica Tourist Board
is one of the main sponsors of
the franchise, and the newspaper
stated that it is through
this initiative that Grange
believes the Tallawahs can
help to promote Brand Jamaica
as a viable sports tourism
destination.
Additionally, the Tallawahs,
which is owned by Floridabased
businessman Kris Persaud,
benefit from government
funds.
According to the Gleaner,
government contributed an
average of $8,303 to the franchise
each year, from 2015 to
2018.
That amount increased
in 2017 to $20,759 and was
bumped up to $31,831 last
year to assist with hosting of
matches in Jamaica.
“The Government of Jamaica
through the Ministry of
Culture, Gender, Entertainment
and Sport is committed
to the holistic development
of sport in Jamaica at all levels.
The growth in competitive
cricket in its various form is of
great interest to the ministry
and has the ministry’s support,”
Grange reportedly said. Tallawahs Captain Rovman Powell on the go. CPL 2020