British Royal Prince Harry this evening led his polo team to victory, scoring 5-4 on behalf of his Charity Sentebale, during a match that was held at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club in Abu Dhabi, under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Prince's charity Sentebale, which provides healthcare and education for children affected with HIV/AIDS in the African nation of Lesotho, hopes to raise funds to help thousands of children and young people in Losotho live a better quality life with the virus.
The annual Sentebale Polo Cup has attracted a host of Emirati and international dignitaries including Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, British pop-star Geri Halliwell, from 90's girl band Spice Girls, and Joelle, a Dubai-based beauty expert and host of make-over TV show Joelle.
Prince Harry played for the Sentebale Huntsman team against Argentinean Nacho Figueras, Sentebale Ambassador, St. Regis Connoisseur, and Captain of the St. Regis team.
Speaking after the event, Prince Harry expressed his excitement at visiting Abu Dhabi, his second visit to the UAE, after a last year's visit to Dubai to raise funds for his charity, and for the importance of raising funds for Sentebale, which the Prince established alongside Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho, in memory of their mothers.
"Thousands of children lose one or both parents to aids-related illness and poverty every day. They are left alone, orphaned, possibly living with disability and often completely unaware that they are carrying the HIV virus," said Prince Harry.
"Back in 2009 we held the first Sentebale Polo Cup to raise awareness and funding in Barbados. Since then we have taken around the world to the UK, USA, Brazil and today, in Abu Dhabi, spreading the word on our work with the world's most vulnerable children," he added.
The Prince explained that the funds raised through these matches are vital in allowing Sentebole to provide care and education to thousands of these disadvantaged children and young people in Losotho.
Globally HIV is the second highest cause of death amongst those aged between 10 and 19 years old. It is the number one cause of death across Africa.
One of Sentebale's main programmes is to tackle the stigma which surrounds HIV amongst young people of Lesotho, the majority of whom contracted the disease in the womb.
Prince Harry went on to say that the money raised will go towards teaching many more HIV positive young people how to live with the virus.
"Our aim is that by educating these children and creating networks where they can discuss their concerns we will start to tackle the stigma surrounding HIV," he said.
"I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for allowing us to use the stunning grounds of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club and all of the sponsors without whom this event simply would have not been possible," he concluded.
Cathy Ferrier, Chief Executive of Sentebale said, "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."