Lancashire University honorary fellowship for Ganguly

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly added another feather to his cap when he was awarded honorary fellowship by the University of Central Lancashire.

Ganguly, who retired from international cricket late last year after playing 113 Tests and 311 ODIs, was conferred the fellowship for his "unparalleled determination coupled with grit and talent".

"It is a huge honour. When I came to know about this a few months ago, I felt proud and I'm happy to be here," Ganguly said, after personally receiving the fellowship from Dharma Kovvuri, acting dean of UClan management faculty, on Wednesday, in Lancashire.

"I have a long-term association with Lancashire -- I had my first One-day International at Old Trafford 13 years ago and had a stint with Lancashire County Cricket Club," the 37-year-old cricketer was quoted as saying in the Lancashire Evening Post.

"The best thing I remember about Lancashire was in April 2000 when I turned up at 10 degree temperature. I was standing in the slips and couldn't take my hands out of my pockets as it was so cold. Luckily, Michael Atherton asked me to go at mid-on where I put some hand warmers in my pockets and kept myself warm," he added.

Ganguly said he would set up his own institution for children from pre-school to college in Kolkata and build links with UClan.

Praising Ganguly for his contribution to cricket, Dharma Kovvuri said, "It's a great honour for the university that we have been able to nominate Sourav and it's great he has accepted.

"He (Ganguly) has been a great ambassador for Indian cricket and, as we all know, he has been the most successful Indian cricket captain, and for him to accept the award from the university is a great honour for us."