The Chevening Scholarship Scheme is the UK government’s global scholarship programme, which aims to bring young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK.

This year, the group was made up of students from 32 nationalities: China, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Serbia, Mexico, India, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Colombia, Philippines, Vietnam, Madagascar, Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, Guatemala, Bolivia, Nigeria, Uruguay, Lebanon, Ukraine, Moldovia, Russia, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Chile, Hong Kong, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.

Tim Garfield, Director of Sports Development, opened the event, providing guests with a short history of sport at Loughborough University.

For a number of the students, their visit to the National Cricket Performance Centre gave them their first taste of cricket.

One of the participating scholars commented: “The University was very kind to allow us access to their world-class cricket facilities and their top coaches for the difficult task of helping a bunch of international scholars master the art of cricket in a day.

“I had the time of my life learning a new British sport and meeting with such competitive and sporty people!”

Will Burns from the University’s International Office said: “The day was a real success. We are always pleased to welcome our international guests to Loughborough and look forward to next year’s event.”