Government Refuses Shaya Heroes Acre Burial

The government has turned down a request by the Zimbabwe Football Association, ZIFA, for the football icon George Shaya to be granted a national hero status.

This comes after Dynamos had written to Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) seeking facilitation of conferment of national hero status on the late former football star who dominated the soccer star of the year calendar in 1969, 1972, 1975, 1976 and 1977.

However, Minister of Sports Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry told the Shaya family that the football icon would get a state-assisted funeral on Wednesday.

“He is one of the greatest sportspersons to have emerged from this country hence government has, therefore, accorded him a state-assisted funeral” she said.

Coventry added that it was impossible for Zimbabweans to discuss about football history without mentioning the contribution of George Shaya.

“The history of the game will be amiss without the mention of his name,” said the minister.

Shaya died aged 77 in his Harare home following a long illness.

He will be buried at Warren Hills cemetery on Saturday, a burial place that was provided by the Harare City Council.