“In it to win it” – “Babsy” Grange as Jamaica returns to CPL

It is safe to say that the Jamaican Government is eagerly awaiting the commencement of this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as the island makes its long-awaited return to the regional showpiece.
Earlier this week, a US-based ownership group led by Fawad Sarwar unveiled the CPL’s seventh franchise, the Jamaica Kingsmen, who are set to compete and, more importantly, bring four matches to Sabina Park this August.
Speaking during the team’s launch on Tuesday, Jamaican Minister of Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange expressed their intentions to not just make a return but to win the Cup once again.
Grange declared, “I’m delighted to say, Jamaica is back in the Caribbean Premier League, and we’re in it to win it.”
“For all its success, there was one essential element missing from the CPL, and that has been Jamaica. There’s no place to watch, participate in or talk about sports like Jamaica, and we have set out strategically to provide the best facilities for the best athletes in the world to develop and compete in Jamaica and for the fans from every part of the world to come to Jamaica to experience and enjoy the one-of-a-kind energy and vibe that makes us who we are,” Grange went on to tell the gathering.

On the other hand, Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Barlett expressed his eagerness at tapping into its sport tourism product.
“We’re excited that Jamaica is brought back into the mix, and we want to give an undertaking that Jamaica will stay in the mix,” the Jamaican Tourism Minister expressed.
Bartlett went on to explain. “CPL will provide another avenue for engaging our traditional and legacy markets, the United States, Canada and the UK. because the diaspora in those three main countries are not limited to Jamaicans and Caribbean people who love and enjoy cricket but are also loaded with Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, all of whom love cricket, and I’ll have a chance to market Jamaica to those individuals in that diaspora.”
Meanwhile, CPL CEO Pete Russell was on hand to reveal the dates of Jamaica’s home games. Their home campaign will begin on Tuesday, August 11, taking on the Barbados Royals. On Thursday, August 13, the Kingsmen will battle local franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors and later turn their attention to the Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday, August 15. The Kingsmen will wrap up their home campaign with a clash against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Tuesday, August 18.
This year’s Republic Bank CPL will run from August to September 2026, with the final scheduled for September 20 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.