Whole heap a people inna de track and field world hold dem breath dis week when de news flash seh Coach Stephen Francis, de man everybody call 'Franno,' deh a hospital a deal wid some serious health struggles. Inna Jamaica, track and field a nuh just a sport, it’s a heartbeat, and Franno a one a de main builders who keep dat heart beating strong and steady fi decades. It nuh matta if yuh follow de sport close-close or yuh just watch when Olympics come roun’, yuh bound fi know de name Stephen Francis because him a de mastermind behind some a de fastest humans fi eva step foot pon a track.
De reports dem reach we seh him currently inna de hospital a get treatment, and though we don’t have every single detail bout what exactly a gwaan wid him body, de mere fact seh de 'Big Coach' deh inna a hospital bed have de whole island a send up prayers and positive vibes. Franno is a man who don’t usually talk much to de media unless him have someting weighty fi seh bout him athletes or how de sport a run. Him a man a deep discipline and serious hard work, always a push him athletes fi reach dem full potential even when nobody else neva did see de fire inna dem.
Tink bout de amount a world-class talent him groom ova de years down a MVP Track Club. We talkin’ bout legends like de 'Pocket Rocket' Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who him help guide from a likkle schoolgirl to de top a de podium worldwide. Den yuh have de likes a Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, and so many oddas who carry de black, green, and gold flag wid pride because a de foundation Franno build. De man have a special gift fi spot talent from a mile off and den sharpen it like a razor til it ready fi cut tru any competition anywhere inna de world. Him presence at de trackside is a staple—always deh deh wid him stopwatch and him sharp eye, watching every stride and every move him athletes dem mek.
Right now, de focus shift far away from medals, timings, and world records to simple healing and recovery. It remind all a we seh even de strongest among we, de ones who look like giants, haffi tek a break sometimes when de body call for it. De Jamaican track community, from de likkle primary school pickney dem to de veteran coaches, all a dem a root fi Franno right now. Dem know seh de sport need him wisdom and him firm guidance as we look toward de future. De news of him illness hit hard because it feel like a pillar a de community a shake, but we know de grit and de warrior spirit dat man have inside him.
We just a hope and pray seh de doctors and nurses a give him de best care possible so him can get back pon him foot inna no time. De track and field season always have its hurdles, but dis a one hurdle we really want see him clear wid ease. For now, we keep him inna we toughts and wait fi hear seh de big coach deh back a him base, ready fi start de next chapter a excellence. Get well soon, Franno. De whole a Jamaica deh behind yuh.
No comments:
Post a Comment