Shava opens doors for young talent after injury ends his playing career
Divas Shava is among the semi-finalists for the Sports Impact Award at The List Awards 2026, recognised for his work in identifying young football talent and creating opportunities for players to pursue professional careers.
Shava once played football in the ZIFA Midlands Division 2A league for a club he founded, with hopes of one day representing Zimbabwe.
However, a workplace injury brought his playing career to an unexpected end. Rather than walking away from the sport, he found a new purpose in football administration and youth development.
Through his work, Shava identifies promising players and helps them gain exposure to regional, national and international opportunities. He takes particular satisfaction in seeing young athletes move into better-resourced clubs where they can develop their careers and pursue professional opportunities.
In a conversation with The List Awards by Identities Media, Shava described the recognition as more than a personal achievement, saying it also highlights talent that is often overlooked in the Midlands.
“This honour is not merely a personal milestone, but a vibrant spotlight on the unsung talent across the Midlands community,” he said.
Shava’s work is rooted in grassroots football. He built a social football club from the ground up and guided it to promotion into the ZIFA Central Region Division 1. He has also supported young players, including Elvis Chipezeze, Edmore Chirambadare and Donald Chiringa, in pursuing opportunities with clubs of their choice.
Among those he has mentored is Lloyd Mapanje, who has gone on to become a Premier Soccer League referee. His commitment to youth development also led him to co-found the Midlands Football Academy (MFA), which provides structured sporting mentorship for under-18s.
The academy aims to keep young people engaged in constructive activities while reducing their exposure to crime, illicit substances and harmful social-media influences.
“Through grassroots sports administration, I actively protect young athletes from exploitation while opening doors for them to pursue professional careers,” he added.
As The List Awards approach on 6 November 2026 at Zimbali Gardens, Shava remains focused on the work ahead. Whether or not he takes home the award, his focus remains on expanding the academy, protecting young talent from exploitation and creating pathways for children to realise their potential.