On 22 October 2025, Cardiff City Football Club’s official charity hosted a Black History Month celebration for young people in Grangetown, one of Cardiff’s most diverse local communities and just a stone’s throw from the home of the football club.

The event, hosted at Grangetown Pavillion in Grange Gardens, included football tournaments and educational workshops, connecting football coaches, trustees, local creatives, partners and the football club to educate and inspire.

The gathering was marked by the EFL’s anti-racism campaign, ‘Together Against Racism’, and inspired by the mural of former City legend Sol Bamba on Penarth Road in Grangetown. It united young people from Butetown, Ebbw Vale, Grangetown and Tredegar in recognition of the rich diversity of Cardiff and its surrounding areas.

The celebration served as a tribute to Sol’s lasting legacy within the community and an opportunity to showcase the multi-ethnic communities and cultures engaged with their youth outreach football sessions.

The thematic workshops, rotated with football games, created a strong sense of community while educating the young people taking part, and equipping them with the vital tools to challenge racism through their shared passion for football.

Ali Abdi, Community Foundation Trustee, led on a Black History Month workshop that explored Cardiff’s deep rooted multi-cultural heritage and what allyship means to young people.

A former attendee at the Foundation’s youth services and founder of Wales’s largest street brand, Ibby Abdi, delivered a creative session exploring art, influence and identity, inspired by his work on the Bamba tribute.

Cardiff City first team and Welsh international players Dakarai Mafico and Ronan Kpakio also attended the event. Friends since the age of six, Mafico and Kpakio progressed through the Cardiff City Academy together, and both signed their first professional contracts this year.

The 18-year-old duo provided an invaluable source of inspiration for the local children, reflecting on a time when they were the same age and relishing every opportunity in football. As champions of the Foundations wider work, the footballers were able to spark important conversations around how vital initiatives like this are in shaping a sense of belonging.

Hosted by local presenter Bablu Shikdar, Kpakio and Mafico also took part in a Q&A session during the workshops, where they discussed motivation, resilience and their role models.

Each person left with a Cardiff City goodie bag including a medal and signed first team photo, a reminder that everyone was part of something bigger.

Bringing these communities together allowed young people who might not usually interact with one another to connect and broaden their perspectives, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and respect.

‘Together Against Racism’ is a reminder that our game is for everyone, and football acts as a powerful tool for bringing people together where factors such as age, disability, faith, and ethnicity aren’t barriers to participation.

Dakarai Mafico, Cardiff City FC First Team player and Foundation Ambassador, reflected:

“It was amazing to see how the Foundation connects with young people from all over South Wales, and it was a real pleasure to be part of such an important event during Black History Month.

Putting myself in their shoes, this is the kind of experience I could only have dreamed of when I was younger. Seeing the smiles on their faces and the opportunities they’re getting is really special!

It’s great to see the Foundation creating spaces that celebrate different cultures and bringing people together through football.”

Matthew Pugh, Head of Services at Cardiff City FC Community Foundation said:

“The Sol Bamba mural in Grangetown inspired this event. Sol was an incredible ambassador of the Community Foundation and made regular visits to our programmes to inspire young people to achieve their full potential – we wanted to continue the legacy he started.

Football has a unique power to bring people together. Having Dakarai and Ronan there really drove home why events like this matter for educating young people, celebrating diversity, and tackling racism."

Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the EFL said:

“We are determined to ensure the EFL truly reflects the diverse communities we represent. We continue to work with our 72 Clubs and partners to foster inclusion, tackle underrepresentation, and create a welcoming environment for all.”