Prince Harry’s recent polo match in Singapore, held to raise funds for disadvantaged young people affected by HIV and AIDS, failed to draw much attention from the public. The event, part of his charity Sentebale’s ongoing efforts, took place on August 12, 2023. Harry played alongside longtime friend and Argentine polo star Nacho Figueras, but despite their efforts, the stadium remained largely empty, with many ticket holders reportedly returning their passes before the match.
The charity event was intended to generate proceeds through ticket sales, with the funds earmarked to benefit Sentebale, the charity Harry co-founded in 2006. However, according to local reports, the turnout was underwhelming, leading many to question the effectiveness of the event in raising money for its cause. One local magazine noted that there was “no crowd” present, leaving the match devoid of the excitement and atmosphere typically associated with charity sports events.
The match, which ended in a 7-7 draw between Harry’s Royal Salute Sentebale team and a Singapore-based club led by Figueras, was still completed, with both Harry and Figueras scoring. Despite this, the event’s apparent failure to attract spectators has raised questions about the relevance of polo as a charity sport in Southeast Asia, where the sport is not widely followed or supported.
Local critics suggested that the decision to host a polo match in Singapore, a small nation with little connection to the sport, may have been a misstep. Polo is often seen as a sport of the wealthy elite, and the event’s failure to resonate with a broader audience in Singapore highlighted this cultural disconnect. The absence of local engagement further underscored concerns about the planning and execution of the event.
The low turnout has drawn inevitable comparisons to Prince William’s upcoming trip to Singapore later in the year for the Earthshot Prize, an environmental initiative that has garnered significant attention and praise. Royal watchers predict that William’s visit will be more successful in terms of public reception and engagement, in stark contrast to Harry’s quiet appearance at the polo event.
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Some have speculated that Harry’s trip was an attempt to preemptively make an impact in Singapore before his brother’s arrival. However, the stark difference in public interest between the two royal brothers’ initiatives has only highlighted Harry’s struggles to maintain the same level of visibility and relevance. The event’s poor turnout and lack of local interest raise questions about how effective such charity events can be when the chosen sport and location do not resonate with the local population.
Ultimately, while the match itself may have been played in good spirits, the overall execution of the event left much to be desired, leaving many to wonder if the money spent on logistics outweighed the funds raised for the charity.
