Can't ban this - Andre Russell opens T20 sports bar in Old Harbour

Andre Russell is utilising his time off from the cricket pitch to broaden his reach as a businessman more specifically, as a restaurateur.

Last Friday, the star cricketer, who is serving a yearlong ban from the game, opened his own sports bar and restaurant in Old Harbour called Russell's T20. Russell told THE STAR that though the idea began to take shape about six months ago, it had been on his mind for almost two years.

"I always thought about doing a nice thing out of town, a nice restaurant," he said. "All these nice restaurants are in Kingston, so I always thought about doing something like this so people on this side can come out and have a drink without having to drive all the way to Kingston."

INSPIRATION FROM IDOLS

Other sports stars have opened bars and restaurants, and Russell considers some of these prominent sports figures to be his idols. "I think Chris Gayle is a mentor to me. He's my idol. And I always watch Courtney Walsh playing cricket from a younger age. It's not a sports bar thing, but you just have to follow the leaders. They motivated me to do it."

Having some time on his hands does not hurt either. "The one-year ban has motivated me to use my time to do something worthwhile," he continued.

"It was a good business move for me, not just to do what those who I idolise are doing. I don't have that many competitors here. There is nothing to compare with what I have done here in Old Harbour. Old Harbour is the fastest-developing community in the Caribbean, so people need somewhere to go drink, chill, and have entertainment late night. It's going to be a club as well," Russell said.