Prince Harry has headed
to Aspen, Colorado, to take part in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, it
has been announced.
An official statement from the
charity on Thursday read: “The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup will take
place at Aspen Valley Polo Club to raise awareness and funds to support
Sentebale’s vital work with children and young people in southern Africa whose
lives have been affected by extreme poverty, inequality, HIV/AIDS and recently
COVID-19.
“Prince Harry, The Duke
of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale, will play on the Sentebale Team,
joined by his longtime friend and the charity’s ambassador, and Argentine polo
player, Nacho Figueras. The team will battle it out against the Royal Salute
and the U.S. Polo Assn. Teams in a round-robin tournament.”
Speaking of the event, the
Duke added: “We are delighted to return once again to the stunning grounds
of Aspen Valley Polo Club for the annual Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup. Sixteen
years ago, Prince Seeiso and I founded Sentebale in honour of our
mothers’ work on HIV, and named after my mum’s favourite flower, the
“forget-me-not” in Sesotho, representing our commitment to
always remembering and advocating for those in need.
Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras at last year’s match |
“We are all proud of the
support we are able to give the young people of Lesotho and Botswana to feel
empowered, healthy, resilient, and able to thrive. The funds raised this year
will be invested in these communities at a critical time, as inequalities have
been exacerbated by the pandemic. We are enormously grateful to our partners
and supporters here today, especially our long-standing title sponsor, ISPS
Handa, for making the day possible.”
He flew into Colorado after
recently travelling to Africa in his capacity as President of African Parks – a
non-profit conservation group that manages national parks across the continent.
Fans will be wondering if the player’s wives, Meghan Markle and Delphina Blaquier, will cheer them on
Founded in 2006, Sentebale
raises awareness and funds to support children and young people in
southern Africa whose lives have been affected by extreme poverty, inequality,
HIV/AIDS and recently COVID-19.