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Michael Holding (left) with Professor Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, UEL’s senior advisor and director of stategic partnerships

WEST INDIES cricket legends Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh have endorsed, supported and helped organise the University of East London’s (UEL) promotional tour of Jamaica.

Arguably the greatest fast bowler of all time, Holding received an honorary degree and lifetime achievement award from UEL last year for his services to cricket helped organise the tour. The event is also backed by Walsh, who until recently held the record for taking the most Test wickets.

Arfan Akram, UEL’s sports development officer and East London cricket coordinator, together with international student recruitment officer, Ranjeeta Maharaj, worked with the pair to arrange their visits to meet Jamaica’s sports minister Natalie Neita-Headley, British High Commissioner to Kingston, David Fitton and deputy High Commissioner Julia Sutherland.

The duo will also visit several universities and colleges in Jamaica, including Holding’s Kingston College and Walsh’s Excelsior High School, as part of their seven day tour of the Caribbean island at the end of May.

Holding said: “It was a real pleasure receiving the award at the university’s sports awards as it gave me a great insight as to how highly it values academia and sports.

“I now understand that delegates from the University of East London will be travelling to Jamaica and visiting academic institutes and use the opportunity to showcase everything that is fantastic about UEL.

“That is great and I am also pleased that delegates will be visiting Kingston College where my education and my path in sport took its fruition. I am very confident the trip will be a great one and the Jamaican people will welcome UEL with open arms.”

Walsh said: “It gives me great pleasure that members from the University of East London will be travelling to my beloved Jamaica.

"Sports and education are two very powerful tools and it really is pleasing UEL respects both so highly and showcasing this during the their trip to educational institutes, including my own school Excelsior High School.

“I am also very pleased that my sports bar and restaurant, Cuddyz will be hosting UEL alumni’s and respected guests for an event in the evening of May 22. I have no doubt the trip will be a great success.”

Arfan said: “I am extremely excited to be visiting Jamaica with Ranjeeta. I have fortunately travelled to Jamaica twice before both times supporting the Courtney Walsh Foundation.

"Words can’t explain how excited I am about this visit. Jamaica is really close to my heart and I am extremely honoured that cricketing legends Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh have both supported and helped organise this trip.”