Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has described the late iconic footballer George Shaya as a symbol of defiant victory through sport.
The President on Thursday joined the nation in mourning the passing of the Dynamos legend and sent a condolence message to the Shaya family.
Shaya died at his Glen Norah home in Harare in the early hours of Tuesday following a long battle with diabetes and dementia, and Government has granted him a State-assisted funeral.
President Mnangagwa said Shaya would also be remembered for psychologically uplifting the people in their struggle to dismantle the myth of white supremacy.
“The death on Tuesday of our renowned football star, George Shaya, after a long fight against diabetes saddened me immensely. A great player, mentor and leader both on and off the field of play, the late Shaya achieved the rare feat of becoming a five-time Soccer Star of the Year in the then racist Rhodesia where everything, including sport was run along racial lines.
“Yet he beat that artificial impairment: not once, not twice, but five clear times to become a soccer legend for all times. For the oppressed and racially discriminated black indigenes, he thus became symbol of defiant victory through Sport. Our nation will forever remember him for that psychological lift he gave our people as they struggled to dismantle the myth of white superiority and invincibility in the then settler Rhodesia,” the President said.
He added that football stadiums had also become sites where black resistance to the colonialists were fought and where many nationalists used sport and arts to mobilise for the struggle.
“As many will recall, then even stadia became sites of quiet resistance, with many nationalists using popular sports and arts like football and music to mobilise for our struggle.
“As we mourn our late football icon, George Shaya, I urge youths across sporting disciplines to strive to excel in order to put Zimbabwe on the world sporting map.
“In the same vein I urge our sports administrators, again, across the disciplines to do no less so our young men and women are facilitated to self-actualise in their chosen field of play.”
President Mnangagwa also revealed that Government would ensure greater support is availed to sport in the country post Covid-19.
“Government will play its part in ensuring greater support is availed to sport, once the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us. The increased tempo in vaccine uptake should see us going back to normal sporting before long.
“On behalf of Government and on my own behalf I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Shaya family for losing their father, guardian and mentor.
“He remains our icon together. In honour and tribute to this great sporting son of Zimbabwe, I have directed Government to accord the late George Shaya, State-assisted funeral. This means the costs of his interment will be met by Government. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” the President said.
Shaya will be buried at Warren Hills cemetery on Saturday.
Online Reporter