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Prince Harry at the press conference for Invictus Games Dusseldorf© Getty

Prince Harry appears on stage at sports summit in Japan

The Duke of Sussex will play at a charity polo match in Singapore on Saturday

Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: August 9, 2023
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The Duke of Sussex made an appearance on stage as he attended a special summit in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday.

Prince Harry, 38, who wore a blue suit with a white shirt, was all smiles at the ISPS Sports Values Summit-Special Edition.

It comes after the father-of-two was seen arriving at Haneda airport on Tuesday with longtime friend and Argentine polo player, Nacho Figueras

The pair were joined at the summit by ISPS Handa Founder Dr. Handa, former New Zealand All Blacks and ISPS Handa Ambassador Dan Carter, Sentebale Chair Sophie Chandauka MBE, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of South Africa’s Stellenbosch University Professor Wim de Villiers, and Royal Australian Navy Veteran and Invictus Games Gold Medallist Steve James.

In pictures published by MailOnline, Harry could be seen laughing on stage with Dr Handa and waving to the crowd.

He joined panellists to discuss the power of sports, community and philanthropy, and stressed the importance of teamwork, saying sport required having "a dream” and the "need for community".

"I have long believed that sport is a conduit for healing – not just for the mind and body but the world," Harry said. "The lessons we learn on the field are the same principles of philanthropy: that a mission, hard work, dedication, and partnership can make even the impossible, possible. Whether banded together in victory or showing up with respect in loss, no one ever crosses a finish line or scores a goal without the help and belief of others. That, to me, is the power of sport.”

See what else Harry had to say at the summit in the clip below...

WATCH: Harry speaks about how sport can change lives at Tokyo event

Australian navy veteran and Invictus Games gold medal winner Steve James also thanked the Duke for saving his life.

Harry set up the Invictus Games – a Paralympic-style sporting competition – in 2014 to aid the rehabilitation of injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

Mr James, who was injured during a fall at sea and left with chronic pain, neurological issues and mental health challenges, said: "I needed Invictus, to teach me a very different approach to sport, it’s enabling, it helps pain go away… I would like to thank Prince Harry for saving my life."

Meghan and Harry at Invictus Games The Hague 2020© Getty
Harry set up the Invictus Games in 2014

Meanwhile, Nacho said of his visit to Japan: "It’s wonderful to be here in Japan on behalf of Sentebale taking the opportunity to talk about the power of polo, a sport I love, and how it serves as a platform to raise awareness for our work. Next stop is Singapore, where we will be raising funds for Sentebale’s important work in southern Africa whilst enjoying a great afternoon of polo."

On Saturday, Harry and Nacho will travel to Singapore for their fundraiser, the annual Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup.

Ahead of his travels, the Duke said in a statement: "The annual Polo Cup is essential to Sentebale's vital work ensuring children and young people are healthy, resilient, and able to thrive. The funds raised this year will support our Clubs and Camps programme, which provides intensive psychosocial support to young people living with HIV."

Prince Harry wearing a cap at Tokyo airport
Prince Harry wearing an Archewell hat as he arrives in Tokyo

He added: "In a time where being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence, we are empowering young people to know their status, stay healthy, and eliminate the stigma so that they can break the cycle. 

"We are delighted to return to the renowned Singapore Polo Club in August, and are once again enormously grateful for the polo community and our sponsors, in particular ISPS Handa, for their ongoing commitment to Lesotho and Botswana's youth."

Prince Harry and Nachos Figueras at Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, Italy 2019 © Getty
Harry and Nacho will play in a charity polo match in Singapore on Saturday
NEW YORK - MAY 30:  Professional Polo Player Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry attend the awards ceremony following the 2009 Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic on Governors Island on May 30, 2009 in New York City.  (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)Prince Harry Competes In The 2009 Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic with Nacho Figueras© Getty
Harry and Nacho have known each other since 2007

Sentebale was founded by Harry and Prince Seeiso in 2006 as a response to the needs of children and young people in Lesotho. The name means ‘forget-me-not’ in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable children in the region.

Harry has not been joined in Japan by his wife, Meghan. The Duchess of Sussex has remained in California with the couple's two young children, Prince Archie, four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet.

Meghan will reportedly join Harry at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf, which is taking place from 9 to 16 September. 

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