ABU DHABI // Prince Harry will be taking part in a charity polo event in the emirate later this month under his brainchild, Sentebale Polo Cup.
Presented by Royal Salute World Polo, the event will take place at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club on Nov 20.
The Sentebale Polo Cup was founded by Prince Harry in 2010. The annual event is in its fifth year and raises money and awareness of Sentebale’s work in providing healthcare and education to vulnerable children in Lesotho in southern Africa, many of whom are victims of extreme poverty and Lesotho’s HIV/AIDs epidemic.
Last year, the Prince attended a charity dinner in Dubai to raise funds for the charity and raise awareness for the upcoming game which was first due to be played in 2011 in Dubai though the visit was postponed due to ongoing troubles in the region. Prince Charles’s office issued a statement saying it would be insensitive to host the event in light of other events.
This year, Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, will play for the Sentebale Huntsman team against the Figueras St. Regis team. The winning team will be presented with the Sentebale Polo Cup trophy by jeweller and silversmith Garrard & Damas and a salver given to the Most Valuable Player. Sponsors will include Rolex and Jaguar Land Rover in addition to Etihad airline.
Cathy Ferrier, Chief Executive of Sentebale says: “Sentebale is delighted to be hosting our Sentebale Polo Cup in Abu Dhabi this year. This event is extremely important to the charity, and allows us to continue to help and support some of the most vulnerable children in the world, through our work in Lesotho. We are very grateful for the generous support of all our sponsors who make this event possible.”
Last year’s Sentebale Polo Cup took place in Greenwich, Connecticut where Sentebale’s co-founder, Prince Harry had a victorious win against Sentebale Ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur, Nacho Figueras, captain of the St. Regis team.
The money and awareness raised from the Sentebale Polo Cup will support Sentebale’s expansion plans in providing leading emotional and psychological support to many more children affected by HIV/AIDS, reducing the stigma linked to the disease, inspiring confidence and most importantly making a marked improvement in these young people’s quality of life.
Sentebale is currently building the Mamohato Children’s Centre in Lesotho, a purpose-built residential centre, due to be complete next year. The centre will enable Sentebale to provide support to many more vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and will serve as the platform for expansion into other affected southern African countries.
The event is using the hashtag #SPC2014 and is by invitation only.
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