KUCHING: Former Sarawak football development figure, Lucas Kalang, fondly recalls decades of friendship and shared experiences with former Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) Director, Francis Nyurang Ding, following his passing.
Lucas said he had known Francis since their childhood days at SK St Pius, Long San, where Francis was his senior by two years.
“We were together since primary school. After that, our paths continued in different schools, but we remained close through the years,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted today (May 7).
Lucas, who served as director of the Sarawak Football Development Programme (SFDP) from 2005 to 2016, described Francis as someone who played an important role in supporting youth football development in Sarawak.
Recalling some of their fondest memories together, Lucas said they enjoyed organising youth football tournaments under the SFDP, where Francis would often officiate events and spend time encouraging young players.
“We enjoyed those days. From the programme, we selected players to represent Sarawak at SUKMA and even brought some of them overseas to Australia for training,” he said.
Beyond football, Lucas said Francis was known as an active and adventurous individual who enjoyed outdoor activities such as rafting, flying and hunting.
“But to me, this guy is so humble. Even though he’s your boss, he’s humble and friendly. He respects everybody that sees him. He doesn’t lose his temper. That’s the good thing about this guy,” Lucas said.
He added that Francis was someone who rarely lost his temper and was admired for the calm and respectful way he treated people around him.
“I hope his legacy will continue in Sarawak sports because he contributed so much, especially in sports development,” he said.
Francis, who concluded his tenure as MSNS director on December 31, 2013, passed away on Wednesday (May 6) at 73-years old, with the news confirmed by his son, Eugene Francis, through a Facebook post.
