Princess Haya Hosts Gala Charity Auction

Monday night, Dubai’s Princess Haya hosted a charity auction where various sporting items were auctioned off. The money raised from this event – a total of $1 million – went to help Palestinian children.

Dressed in a bright green gown, Haya spoke to those in attendance about the importance of sports in the Middle East.

“Our passion for sport in this region provides us with an opportunity to change lives and develop young people. None of us have the capacity to individually solve the problems of the world, but collectively, we can help find solutions and provide hope to the children and youth of Palestine.”

The items auctioned included footballs and tennis balls made in the slums of Kenya, plus various t-shirts. All items were signed by major sporting figures such as tennis greats Roger Frederer and Venus and Serena William. The head of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, put his signature on a football as did UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

The galal auction was sponsored by the United Nations. Princess Haya is a UN Messenger of Peace.