A new government scholarship will be named for in honour of the late renowned Jamaican coach, Stephen Francis.

This announcement was made by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange at yesterday’s Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Francis at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston. Minister Grange said Francis, known as Franno, was “among the most brilliant Jamaicans in any field” and that he used his “mind power to shape actions and results.”

She said Francis “helped to shape athletes and contributed significantly to Jamaica’s remarkable place in the world athletics.” She said his contribution must never be forgotten.

Noting that “the Government will have discussions with UTech and with Paul [Francis, Stephen’s brother to see how we can ensure that there is a lasting tribute to Franno, “ Grange said, “we are going to be offering a scholarship to a student-athlete at the University of Technology. Those details we will announce at a later date.”

Francis was Head Coach at UTech for 17 years, where he was credited with establishing the University as the ‘home of world-class athletes’. He was also the leader of the MVP Track Club that trained many of Jamaica’s athletics champions, including Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Asafa Powell, Elaine Thompson Herah, Shericka Jackson, Brigitte Foster Hylton, Kishane Thompson, and many others from across the world.

 Francis passed away in July, one day after his 63rd birthday.