The foundation of Bafana Bafana international, Kagisho Dikgacoi, has joined forces with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Crystal Palace Foundation.

The three projects have worked together to set up the Isagoverana Football Coaching Development Programme in Bloemfontein, and hope to help 18-24 year-olds find jobs and develop life skills as well as finding talent both on and off the football pitch.

Dikgacoi, who plays for Crystal Palace, set up his foundation in November last year, said, “Giving back to the community is something my grandparents taught me from an early age and something my mum still reminds me of every day.

“Ever since I turned professional I have been giving back to the community on a personal level but I can make more of a difference through setting up my own foundation.

“The KDF has experienced and passionate staff working for us and alongside myself we are glad to be working with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation who have a history of working in South Africa and in particular, Cape Town.

“Poverty is the main factor that affects young people and their chances of reaching their potential not only in South Africa but the whole of Africa.

“We are a talented country sports-wise but because we have a lack of infrastructure and poverty, these can stand in someone’s way but with the KDF joining together with Rio and Crystal Palace we can help these kids and revive their dreams of whatever they wish to do and that will be great.”

“We want to raise as much funding as possible so we can create jobs and keep a long-term commitment. We want to help as many people as we can and if I can say in a year that we have helped 100s of kids get jobs and maybe some working for the Foundation itself that would be awesome.”

For More Info please see www.kagishodikgacoi.org