KUALA LUMPUR: The Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) described the death of former New Straits Times chief news editor Tony Francis as a huge loss to the nation's sports journalism.
Francis, 73, died of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) at about 8.15am today after suffering from the chronic lung disease for several years.
In a statement, SAM president Datuk Jasni Shafie said: "On behalf of SAM and its members, I wish to extend our condolences to Francis' family, friends and loved ones. His death is a huge loss to sports journalism in Malaysia."
The statement also said Francis was an active member of SAM and had served as an executive council member when it was helmed by Datuk Rahim Razali.