Editorial | Spurn Tallawahs' entitlement

The Government should not be cowed by the intimidatory tactics of the Jamaica Tallawahs, a private cricket franchise that happens to benefit from this country's name but is owned by Florida-based businessman Kris Persaud.

Sport Minister Olivia Grange should not treat with deference Mr Persaud's ultimatum to move the franchise from Jamaica unless the Government taps its coffers to line his pockets.

The dispute emanated from the Tallawahs' decision in the last season of the CPL Twenty20 cricket competition to play three of their home games in Florida because it was more profitable to do so than to host them at Sabina Park, Kingston's legendary cricket ground. Good for them.

But the Government must stand up to the bullying temerity of Mr Persaud and his emissaries that the State should dole out between US$1 million and US$1.5 million to keep his enterprise afloat and make playing cricket here financially viable.

As Ms Grange has pointed out, the sums demanded by the Tallawahs management dwarf the aggregate budget of more than 40 national federations, most of which are already cash-starved and existing on life support. Any preferential propping up of the Tallawahs would be a slap in the face of anaemic sporting bodies.

If Mr Persaud thumbs his nose at any moderate support the Government offers his operation, he should be shown the door - but leave Brand Jamaica on his way out.