Stephen Francis - file

After losing track 'senators' such as Asafa Powell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Melaine Walker, Michael Frater and Sherone Simpson, head coach Stephen Francis admitted that the MVP track club is at a transitional stage, but assured that the University of Technology-based outfit will continue to produce world-class talent.

Despite a number of their biggest crowd pullers walking through the gates of the University of Technology-based club for one reason or the other, the gloss has remained at the club for the most part with world beater Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kaliese Spencer, Nesta Carter and hotshot quarter-miler Stephenie-Ann McPherson still on the cards.

some losses

Francis conceded the impact of the departures but assured that the club will continue its tradition of building star athletes.

"Even though we have suffered some losses of people who were well known, I think that we have been able to build," said Francis.

"Here we are fortunate because we have been able to build athletes from what sometimes isn't thought to be good material and that, plus the fact that we continue to get kids that people think are talented; that ensures that we will have good representation for Jamaica and others as the years go by."

World Championships 4x100m relay gold medallist Carrie Russell, now fully recovered World Junior Championships 200m finalist Julian Forte, and former Vere Technical standout Shericka Jackson are among the athletes who are expected to have a serious impact on the sport in the near and mid-term future.

"I am very excited about the current kids we have here, but I think there are probably about seven people who will become world class this year. Some are close and others are coming from further back, but it's a very good mixture and I think over the next two years (they will start excelling)," Francis said.

"It's difficult to replace a Melaine Walker or a Brigitte Foster-Hylton or Asafa Powell, but I think we will have people who will be as competitive as they are and will have chances to win medals at the World Championships next year."