ASPEN, COLORADO, USA: On Thursday 19th August 2021, Sentebale hosted the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at Aspen Valley Polo Club, Colorado, USA and raised nearly $3.5 million in critical funding for the organisation’s core mission: to support vulnerable children impacted by extreme poverty, inequality, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa. Under guidance from a leading epidemiologist and in coordination with the local Public Health Department, a reduced version of Sentebale’s annual charity sports match took place for the sole purpose of raising vital funds to support Sentebale’s work.
This year’s Polo Cup, together with The Duke of Sussex’s generous donation, will allow Sentebale to operate at full scale and will mean more children and young people across Lesotho and Botswana will receive essential support, care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future.
Joining Sentebale Ambassador and Argentine high goal polo player, Nacho Figueras, on the Sentebale Team was the charity’s Co-Founding Patron, The Duke of Sussex. The Sentebale Team battled it out in a round robin tournament against the Royal Salute Team and U.S Polo Assn. Team. The Sentebale Team proved unbeatable, taking the win with a score of 3-0. The Duke scored two goals.
Sentebale is enormously grateful to sponsors and partners for making the day possible; ISPS Handa, Aspen Valley Polo Club, Royal Salute, U.S. Polo Assn., Caribou Club and Long Meadow Ranch Winery.
©SENTEBALE ISPS HANDA POLO CUP 2021
Sentebale was founded by The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso in 2006. Sentebale means ‘forget-me-not’ in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable children in the Southern Africa.Sentebale aims to reach children and young people living with or affected by HIV, especially the most vulnerable, who are additionally challenged by issues of deprivation, exploitation, abuse or neglect. Sentebale’s vision is that all children and young people in Southern Africa are empowered, healthy and resilient and are able to thrive.Many of the challenges children and young people face have been exacerbated by COVID-19. More children are dropping out of school and teen pregnancy and gender-based violence is increasing amongst adolescent girls. Sentebale continues to use its experience to adapt and respond to these challenges, ensuring its impact is relevant and innovative.Children and young people are at the centre of Sentebale’s work, ensuring they are listened to and the work is driven by their needs and expectations, protecting their rights at all times. Sentebale empowers young people, ensuring they are safe and confident, able to lead and advocate for themselves and their peers. The work is rooted in values of compassion, respect, sustainability and accountability.Sentebale has now reached the next stage in its development with a new five-year strategy, building on the platform established in recent years whilst responding specifically to the increased needs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sign up to receive Sentebale’s latest news at www.sentebale.org
About ISPS HandaThe International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS Handa) was founded by Dr. Haruhisa Handa in 2006 to further the transformative power of sport across the globe. ISPS Handa funds and promotes a wide-range of sporting events in archery, bowling, boxing, football, golf, polo, rowing, rugby, and swimming, with an emphasis on blind and disabled golf, and continues to lobby for golf to be recognised as a Paralympic sport.ISPS Handa believes in the power of sport to inspire and to change society for the better. They are proud supporters of the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, which raises funds for Sentebale – the charity founded by The Duke of Sussex, to promote the health and mental wellbeing of young people affected by HIV/AIDS.In addition to many other sporting events globally, ISPS Handa has also been a loyal supporter of the Invictus Games, founded by The Duke of Sussex, since the inaugural 2014 Games.ISPS Handa continues to further these socially responsible causes which adhere to its vision to inspire, create hope, unite and transform.www.ispsinternational.com
About Royal Salute
Royal Salute is an exceptionally crafted and aged Scotch whisky, starting where others end at 21 years old. Created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 21 gun salute that honoured her, the brand is steeped in tradition and proud of its royal lineage, but pushes the art of blending into the modern world with new, innovative and creative blends. Royal Salute is deeply involved in polo – the world’s oldest surviving team sport and a game that is expanding in the modern era and supports more than 15 international tournaments globally.
