Patriots now under control of Hong Kong-based interests

Superstar Patriots openers Chris Gayle (right) and Evin Lewis.
Superstar Patriots openers Chris Gayle (right) and Evin Lewis.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Chris Gayle’s St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will be under new ownership for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Organisers announced Monday that City Sports, Hong Kong – a member of the City Group of companies – had purchased the franchise ahead of the new season scheduled to bowl off in August.

Patriots was previously owned by Dr Uday Nayak and Mohammed Ansari.

“We have been delighted with the way that the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots franchise has grown since they first joined the league in 2015 and we are certain that the City Group can take the team forward to even greater success,” said CPL’s chief operating officer, Pete Russell.

“This investment shows the high regard in which the CPL is held around the world and how the tournament continues to go from strength to strength. 

“St Kitts & Nevis has always been a big part of CPL since we first had games there in 2014 and we look forward to that continuing for years to come.

“We would like to express our thanks to Dr Uday Nayak, Mohammad Ansari and their team for the amazing job they have done with the Patriots over the years.”

Patriots, based at Warner Park, replaced Antigua Hawksbills for the 2015 season and have gone on to make their mark in the tournament, reaching the 2017 final before going down to eventual champions, Trinbago Knight Riders.

Their roster currently boasts the likes of superstar Gayle, West Indies Twenty20 opener, Evin Lewis, and Windies T20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite.

City Sports chairman, Sushil Kumar, said the company hoped to make Patriots a success, not only on the field, but for the country as a whole.

“We at City Sports are elated to be a part of the Hero CPL and having acquired the St Kitts & Nevis franchise we want to become part of the local community through the game of cricket,” he said.

“We want to promote the spirit of true sportsmanship