EAST LONDON, England — West Indies cricket great Michael Holding has joined forces with the University of East London (UEL), in the UK, to launch a new £3,000 scholarship for Jamaican students interested in studying at the university for a postgraduate degree.

Holding, arguably one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, and now a highly respected cricket commentator, has established close links with UEL since being awarded an honorary degree in 2013 for services to sport.

The new scholarship is aimed at Jamaicans who participate in sport, not just cricket, or who want to study a sports-related subject. It begins in September 2015. Holding said: “In 2013 I was awarded an honorary doctorate and a ‘services to sport award’ at the University of East London. It was a real honour and now it gives me great pleasure to endorse the Michael Holding Scholarship for Jamaican students.

“The experience of having my mother being a former teacher and headmistress has made me fully aware of how important education is.

“Education is an investment that not only helps gain knowledge, but also opens up vast opportunities in fulfilling one’s potential.

“Knowing that this scholarship will hopefully help fellow Jamaicans achieve this gives me great joy and happiness.”

UEL has been recognised as one of the most improved universities for sport in the UK and is well on its way to becoming London’s premier sporting universities.

Its current student roll includes sprint star Adam Gemili, the European 200 metres champion and world finalist, and Commonwealth 200m bronze medallist Bianca Williams.

The university also boasts state-of-the-art sports facilities, including its new £21 million SportsDock building. It received the ultimate endorsement when the United States Olympic Committee chose to base its athletes at the University in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Two of the university’s three campuses are in Stratford, site of the main Olympic Park in 2012. The attractions of central London are less than five miles away and connected by frequent train services.

Students who are awarded the scholarship will automatically become part of UEL’s International Sports Ambassadors scheme. It will entitle them to a free gold membership at SportsDock, access to sports therapy, free sports kit, personal off-peak usage of courts and a ticket to the UELSports annual awards ceremony.

Mohsin Ramzan, Head of International Student Recruitment at UEL, said: “Michael Holding is not only a sporting icon to millions in the West Indies, but is also a great ambassador and inspiration to budding athletes in the region. This scholarship further strengthens his commitment to education and we are proud to have him as an honorary doctor.”