THE late George”Mastermind” Shaya was honoured posthumously with a house worth US$120 000 by business tycoon Kuda Tagwirei during the unveiling of a three-year sponsorship package by Sakunda Holdings for the country’s two giants of football, Dynamos and Highlanders Football Clubs.
Shaya was honoured alongside two living soccer legends, Moses Chunga and Madinda Ndlovu, who were also given houses worth US$90 000 each.
In his last days, Shaya was a pale shadow of the player who once mesmerised football fans across Zimbabwe as he struggled to make ends meet, compounded further by his failing health.
However, corporates like Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited and Doves Funeral Services came to the aid of the former Dynamos legend providing food and funds for his upkeep until his demise a few weeks ago.
This kind gesture by Tagwirei, especially towards Ndlovu and Chunga, will help change the narrative that society only recognises sports legends when they pass on.
While Shaya’s widow, Egnes would have loved to be in the new house in her late husband’s company, she will take the house as one of the legacies that her husband left.
Speaking on the occasion of the unveiling of Sakunda Holdings’ sponsorship deal for Dynamos and Highlanders, Tagwirei said he wanted the late Shaya’s family to benefit from the sweat of their late father.
“We recently lost our old man, George Shaya, but we want his family to know that he worked for them; therefore, I am giving them a house worth US$120 000,” Tagwirei said to a wild round of applause.
“I am also giving (Moses) Chunga a house worth US$90 000, and Madinda will also get his worth US$90 000.”
Tagwirei was in a giving overdrive as he also gave Highlanders and Dynamos coaches and team captains cars.
“Coaches and Captains of these two teams, may you please come and see me tomorrow (today) and collect your cars,” added Tagwirei.
Sakunda Holdings unveiled a US$5.3 million package for the next three years which will be paid in tranches of US$ 890 000 per year in ZWL equivalent.
The financial package is expected to assist Dynamos and Highlanders Football Clubs to meet their expenses and obligations so that they can run the football clubs like a business in a professional manner.
There has been discontent in both football clubs as the players have been struggling to get their salaries on time, Highlanders being the hardest hit.
The sponsorship package by Sakunda Holdings will mainly cover salaries, allowances, sign-on fees and administration costs.
