Holding, University of East London launch £3,000 scholarship

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.