World fair play day 2025: Hailing sports practiced in spirit of friendship, solidarity, and tolerance

May 19, 2025, will be observed as the first World Fair Play Day, a celebration aimed at encouraging sportsmanship rooted in friendship, solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, and non-discrimination. Fair play promotes mutual respect among participants, teaching us to appreciate and honour each other.

On July 1, 2024, the General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/310, proclaiming May 19 as World Fair Play Day.

It fosters equality, bridges cultural gaps, and empowers youth by demonstrating how sports can facilitate social change and strengthen communities. By upholding fair play principles—such as following rules, respecting opponents, and combating violence and doping—everyone gains.

This day serves as a significant platform to encourage increased participation in sports and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, 5, 10, and 16.

History: The roots of World Fair Play Day trace back to 2013, when Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles, a non-profit organization in Belgium, initiated a week of fair play activities, including the "Relay du Fair Play," to promote ethical values in sports within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

On September 7, 2020, Panathlon International, the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM), and the International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP) collaborated to launch the first global World Fair Play Day. The date was chosen to commemorate the founding anniversary of the CIFP, established in 1963 by members of UNESCO, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), FIFA, FIBA, FILA (now United World Wrestling), and the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby).

United Nations Recognition: In a significant milestone, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/310 on July 1, 2024, officially proclaiming May 19 as World Fair Play Day. This recognition underscores the importance of fair play in promoting peace, sustainable development, community cohesion, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.

Resolution: The resolution reinforces the independence of sports and the leadership positions of the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees, calling on the international community to acknowledge and raise awareness about World Fair Play Day.