ST GEORGE'S–The United States based Chalak Mitra Group (CMG) are the new franchise owners of reigning Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Champions, Jamaica Tallawahs, organisers have announced.The announcement was made here after the Tallawahs posted a thrilling opening round victory over St.Lucia Zouks at the national stadium here at the weekend."We're delighted to become the new owners of the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise," declared Manish Patel, chairman and president of CMG."As a group we are passionate about cricket and after seeing the success of the CPL last year, we knew this was something we wanted to be a part of."
CMG, founded by a group of entrepreneurs from India is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and owns and operates restaurant concepts across America, including one of the largest KFC franchises in the country.The group, through its restaurant businesses, has sponsorship deals with NBA teams, the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, as well as several initiatives at collegiate and grass-roots levels.Chris Gayle scored the first ever CPL century as Tallawahs, who emerged as champions from the inaugural CPL last year, beat Zouks to set the tone for an exciting second season.The Jamaica Tallawahs play their next match against the Antigua Hawksbills at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium tomorrow. (CMC)