Press Release -World Fair Play Day
6 months after the officialization of the World Fair Play Day and 6 months before the 2nd edition (September 7, 2021): the international partners are working to mobilize a large number of actors within the framework of this global program.
The “World Fair Play Day”, every September 7th, is a sports initiative designed to promote fair play and Ethical Values in sport. Everyone in sport both on and off the pitch is invited to highlight fair play initiatives, projects and successes every year on this date.
In culmination of seven years national ‘work of Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles, the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) and the International Panathlon have come together for a celebration of fair play to be held on the same date each year, namely 7 September.
This date was chosen back in 2013 by the Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles to commemorate the day in 1963 on which Jean Borotra, one of the renowned “four musketeers” of French tennis, met in Paris with the figures who would go on to found the International Fair Play Committee.
So the “World Fair Play Day” was officially announced and inaugurated on September 7th, 2020 at the iconic Brussels Town Hall, as an initiative of these 4 partner institutions, all working to promote and defend the values of fair play. In parallel, due to the covid situation, a webinar was held with 18 Latin-American NOCs and sport authorities from Budapest. All the participants in reality and virtually were enthusiastic for the future celebration of Fair Play.
Today, March 7, 2021 is a key date: 6 months have passed since this announcement and in 6 months time the 2nd World Fair Play Day will take place.
This “World Fair Play Day” program is based on a Manifesto that organisations and institutions can sign up to and demonstrate strong commitment to the promotion of fair play in sport and a willingness to fully cooperate in this sporting and societal program. The unexpected difficulty of today points out the basic values of Fair Play like solidarity, taking care about each other, selfless help and the social interest is more important than the individual interest.
Today, no less than 45 institutions (sporting and institutional) from around the world have signed the Manifesto to show their commitment to World Fair Play Day. Let's hope they will be joined by many more.
We invite you to consult the website dedicated to this program where you will find further information, the photos and movie of the 2020’s “World Fair Play Day” and the list of those who have already signed this manifesto.
For more information visit: www.worldfairplayday.org
06.03.2021
