‘He believed in me’ Powell delivers moving tribute honouring legendary coach Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis

As the sporting fraternity said goodbye to legendary track and field coach Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis on Saturday, retired sprinter Asafa Powell gave a heartbreaking tribute to the coach whom he saw as a second father figure.
The thanksgiving service for Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 64, was held over the weekend at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
The late coach was remembered as a legacy-defining figure who changed what it meant for local athletes to achieve greatness on the world stage, while training in Jamaica.
Among the touching tributes that poured in Francis’ memory, none was as moving as Powell, who Francis guided to multiple global titles and two world records in the men’s 100m.
JOURNEY
Powell, who struggled to hold back tears during his tribute, recalled how his journey with Francis started after he false-started at the 100m final at the Champs in 2001.
Powell said he returned to his high school, Charlemont, uncertain of his future, before Francis’ brother, Paul Francis, visited him at school and invited him to train at MVP Track Club under Stephen’s tutelage.
“Today, I’m not here as a former world record holder or an Olympian. I’m standing here as that little country boy whose life was changed by one man,” he said.
“In 2001, at the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, I false-started in the finals and was disqualified,” Powell remembered.
“I went back to my high school with no idea what the future would be. Then one day, Paul Francis showed up at my school.”
Powell said while the conditions were not the best, he remained at the budding track club because he believed in Francis’ guidance and felt he had found the right coach to guide his career.
Among the memories that brought a smile through his tears was Francis’ old Proton Saga, which regularly leaked transmission oil.
TREASURED MEMORY
Powell recalled making daily trips to top up the vehicle’s transmission oil, describing what seemed like a small chore at the time as one of the memories he now treasures most.
“What kept me there wasn’t the building. It was the family coach created. It was being around athletes chasing one dream, who believed in the impossible,” Powell said.
“Coach became more than just a coach; he was another father. I remember his old Proton Saga leaking transmission oil, and I always think I’m a mechanic, so on a daily basis, I would take it to top up the transmission oil for him,” he continued.
“It seemed like a small thing back then, but now, it feels priceless. He invested in every part of us.”
BELIEF
Powell said at times, it felt as though Francis believed more in him than he did in himself. This belief became the foundation on which he launched a stellar track career, 
The retired sprinter recalled a conversation where Francis predicted he would have broken the world record long before Powell even believed it possible.
“I remember one day, he said, ‘You’re going to break the world record’, and I laughed. Honestly, I thought he believed in me more than I believed in myself. Years later, when I broke the world record in Athens, I remembered that conversation.”
HEARTWARMING
Foster-Hylton, reading Powell’s speech as he had broken down in tears, ended the tribute with a heartwarming thank you to Francis for his work over the years.
“Everything I became started with one man who saw something in a young country boy before anyone else did. Coach, thank you for every lesson, every sacrifice, every laugh, every opportunity.
“You didn’t just change my life. You changed countless lives. You changed Jamaican track and field, and your legacy will continue to inspire long after all of us are gone.”
gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com