On the 12th of August, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, returned to Singapore Polo Club to play in the 2023 Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup. The annual fundraising event has raised over £11milliion to date for Sentebale’s work supporting children and young people in southern Africa.
The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup was previously hosted by the Singapore Polo Club in 2017. Excited crowds cheered on the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, captained by Malcolm Borwick as they took on the Singapore Polo Club Team, captained by Sentebale Ambassador and long-time friend Nacho Figueras in a fast-paced game. This year’s event saw Figueras, in opposition to The Duke’s team, one of the few occasions in the tournaments history when the pair have played on opposing sides. Both rose to the challenge, each scoring impressive goals but ultimately the teams were evenly matched with the final score levelling at 7-7 with honours shared.
Around 260 guests, including former All Blacks rugby player and ISPS Handa Ambassador Dan Carter, attended the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup followed by dinner at the InterContinental Singapore.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale said, “Sentebale has remained a pillar of support in communities across southern Africa for almost two decades, ensuring future generations are well equipped to address the many challenges facing our world. Adaptability and nimbleness have been a defining factor in our work since Prince Seeiso and I founded the charity 17 years ago. Our work has remained rooted in our mission, and in honour of our late mothers, we wish to ensure all children and young people in southern Africa are empowered, healthy and able to pursue their ambitions and dreams.”
Nacho Figueras, Sentebale’s Ambassador said, “Although Prince Harry and I played on opposing teams this year, we are always united in our support for Sentebale and the life-changing work they do for young people in southern Africa. It’s a highlight every year to come together for this incredible charity, and I’m grateful to everyone who contributes to their work.”
Dr Haruhisa Handa, Founder of International Sports Promotion Society said, “ISPS believes sport has the power to inspire, break down barriers, and change lives and communities for the better. This ethos was exemplified today at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup. Marrying the power of sport and the vital philanthropic work Sentebale undertakes in Lesotho and Botswana to eradicate HIV and AIDS stigma, ISPS is a proud and honoured partner of this platform. Our genuine thanks to the Sentebale team for their enduring commitment, and to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, without whose vision the positive impact on so many lives would not have been realised.”
The funds raised from this year’s Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup are essential to ensuring the progress made in recent years is maintained.
Sentebale’s holistic package of support for vulnerable children and young people focusses on four key areas:
- Strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of those living with or affected by HIV.
- Working with communities to provide young people with access to health and social services.
- Driving youth advocacy to improve health, education, and social protection.
- Building individuals skills and livelihoods so they are more resilient, self-confident and empowered members of their communities.
This layered approach is supporting positive health outcomes, improving access to education and services, and is nurturing children and young people to thrive.
We are enormously grateful to all the players and partners for their support in making this year’s event possible including, ISPS Handa, Royal Salute Singapore Polo Club, IHG Hotels & Resorts, U.S. Polo Assn and The Cox Family of Oklahoma.
