Prince Harry set to break cover at key sporting event in Asia

Prince Harry set to break cover at key sporting event in Asia

The Duke of Sussex and Nacho Figueras (left) during a prize giving ceremony after taking part in a polo match during the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Aspen Valley Polo Club in Carbondale, Colorado in the United States on August 25, 2022.

PA
Sam Montgomery

By Sam Montgomery


Published: 31/07/2023

- 20:43

Updated: 31/07/2023

- 20:54

Duke of Sussex to embark on philanthropy minded polo tour of Singapore and Japan with close friend

Prince Harry is preparing for his first major public appearance since King Charles’ Coronation, as he packs for the polo in Singapore and a detour to Tokyo.

The Duke of Sussex is due to take part in the Sentebale Polo Cup in Singapore on August 12, a sporting event he set up which aims to raise money for children affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/AIDS.


The Duke will line up for the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, taking on the Singapore Polo Club Team which is captained by his close friend and charity ambassador Nacho Figueras.

Prince Harry is set to stop off in Tokyo with Figueras to attend the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS Handa) summit on the power of sport and philanthropy on August 9.

The Duke of Sussex (left) and Nacho Figueras (right) take part in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Roma Polo Club in Rome, Italy.

PA

The trip will not be the Prince's first rodeo in Singapore, for the Duke previously played a chukka or two when the island played host to the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in 2017.

During his trip in 2017, the Duke met with staff and volunteers of the non-governmental organisation Action For Aids.

The Prince shared a statement about the upcoming visit, which read: "The annual Polo Cup is essential to Sentebale's vital work ensuring children and young people are healthy, resilient and able to thrive.

"The funds raised this year will support our Clubs and Camps programme, which provides intensive psychosocial support to young people living with HIV.

(left to right) Grant Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, the Duke of Sussex and Steve Cox raise the trophy after taking part in a polo match during the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Aspen Valley Polo Club in Carbondale, Colorado in the United States on August 25, 2022.

PA

"In a time where being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence, we are empowering young people to know their status, stay healthy, and eliminate the stigma so that they can break the cycle.

"We are delighted to return to the renowned Singapore Polo Club in August, and are once again enormously grateful for the polo community and our sponsors, in particular ISPS Handa, for their ongoing commitment to Lesotho and Botswana's youth."

Sentebale was originally founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.

With a name translating from the Sesotho language as ‘forget-me-not,', the charity aims to care for the most vulnerable in society.

PRINCE HARRY LATEST:

Prince Harry spits champagne over the captain of the opposing team Nacho Figueras after winning the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic in New York, held to raise funds for his Sentebale children's charity in Lesotho.

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Prince Harry (left) and Polo player Nacho Figueras pose after the 3rd annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Governors Island in New York City.

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Over the last decade, the charity has reportedly raised more than £10million.

Last year's edition took place on August 25, when the Sentebale team claimed victory.

Harry spoke at the time of his "strive to break generational cycles of trauma and stigma every day".

The Sentebale website explains its mission: "There has been a strong focus on HIV/AIDS – especially through psychosocial support, outreach work into communities and our purpose-built centre where children living with HIV can attend week long camps and receive in-depth support.

Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier, arrive ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

PA

Prince Harry with Nacho Figueras arriving to take part in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup at the Singapore Polo Club.

PA

"As progress has been made in tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic we are increasingly addressing some of the wider challenges that children and young people have articulated.

"Although our working methods have evolved over the years our primary focus on children and young people has remained our consistent priority.

It adds: "Sentebale continues to reach children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana living with or affected by HIV, especially the most vulnerable who are often challenged by issues of deprivation, exploitation, abuse or neglect.

"They may also be disadvantaged or marginalised due to mental health issues, sexual and gender-based violence, alcohol or substance abuse, sexual orientation, stigma or other challenges that affect their health and wellbeing."

Like Harry, Princess Diana was known for her involvement in raising awareness of HIV.

It comes as Prince Harry seems to have been sidelined by his own sustainable travel company.

The Duke of Sussex founded the not-for-profit, environmentally friendly travel company Travalyst in 2019.

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