"We have even bigger plans for this year": Tadej Pogacar's foundation to raise funds through a charity golf league

Tadej Pogacar has joined forces with Slovenian businessman Joc Pececnik for the charity initiative "Never Give Up, Always Give Back". The initiative aims to raise funds for the Tadej Pogacar Foundation and the Red Ball Foundation, focused on helping disadvantaged young people and other vulnerable groups, through a charity golf league.

Funds will be raised through a series of charity golf tournaments for recreational players in groups or individuals, taking place at the newly renovated Golf Resort Arboretum course in Volčji Potok, Slovenia. The first events are expected to start soon.

"This school year, within the framework of the Tadej Pogacar Foundation, we awarded 35 scholarships to young people who have already overcome cancer or are still fighting the disease. In two years, thanks to charity events, sponsors and community support, we have collected and awarded more than 200,000 euros in aid for scholarships, medical equipment, treatment of rare diseases abroad and assistance in the event of natural disasters. We have even bigger plans for this year," said Tadej Pogacar during project presentation in Slovenia on Sunday, as he travelled directly from Tuscany following his Strade Bianche victory.

"Although I have very few days off, I dedicate a lot of my time to the foundation's projects. This mission is very important to me and I also see it as part of my future after the end of my cycling career," added Pogacar.

"I know from experience that those who need and receive help are very grateful, even though they don't talk about it. For me, it's an indescribably beautiful feeling when you can help someone. I've done a lot of global stories, but I've never been as happy as I am today, when I can sign a cooperation document with the greatest Slovenian athlete, Tadej Pogacar, which we will all be very proud of," said Joc Pececnik.

The charity golf league will take place from spring to autumn on the renovated course, which is expected to open its doors at the end of April. The renovation of the Golf Resort Arboretum took three years, and the investment is worth approximately 40 million euros, said Pececnik.