On May 19, the world celebrates World Fair Play Day - a day dedicated to promoting sport that is based on friendship, solidarity, tolerance, and inclusion, without any kind of discrimination.

Sport’s power goes beyond the sporting environment, given its universal popularity; it promotes peace and development, community cohesion, respect for human rights, and gender equality, as well as having an important role in the empowerment of all women and girls. 

The day has its roots in 2020, when the Panathlon International (P.I.), the International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP) and the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) joined forces to create a World Fair Play day, celebrated on September 7. The work to preserve and promote the spirit of fair play in sports and daily life, particularly the observance of rules, respect for the opponent and combating violence and doping, was also recognised by the United Nations. In July 2024, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 19 as the official World Fair Play Day. The inaugural edition was held last year in 2025.

Fair play is a universal concept integrated in all aspects of life. Therefore, the “Perpetual Calendar for a Fair Play World” invites everyone to make fair play an everyday practice. It includes 365 concrete examples of fair play in action, one for each day of the year, encouraging engagement and showcasing that everyone has a role in changing the rules for a fairer sport and society.

Fair play is one of the core values at EUSA and embedded in all of its actions. It is encouraged and promoted in various ways, emphasising the importance of sportsmanship, respect, and solidarity. Guided by EUSA’s principles and the Olympic spirit, our events promote respect, equality, and non-discrimination, contributing to a more inclusive and peaceful society through sport.

Everyone participating in EUSA events commits to fair play by taking the Fair Play oath. Participating in EUSA events also means agreeing to participate in the spirit of the game, display respect and fair treatment, conduct themselves in the spirit of fair play, ensure safe play, and comply with EUSA policies. These acts reinforce the importance of respect, ethical conduct, and integrity in university sport.

Since 2007, EUSA has recognised outstanding behaviour of fair play with a special annual award, named after the first president and a strong advocate for fair play. The Enno Harms Fair Play Award honours individuals and teams for their exceptional acts of fair play, respect, and integrity in EUSA sport events. The award is co-organised together with the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM), with whom EUSA have been a long-time partner, promoting fair play and positive values of sport. 

EUSA and EFPM, with other European organisations, are conducting a project called European Sport Safeguarding Education and Promotion Action (ESSEPA), co-funded by the European Union, that is designed to address growing concerns around athlete welfare, safety, and protection by developing an innovative and accessible online education and certification platform.

With these initiatives and actions, EUSA is a strong advocate for fair play in sports as well as daily life, ensuring it remains a guiding principle in shaping a positive and inclusive sports culture across Europe. 

For more information, please see www.worldfairplayday.org