September 7th  is World Fair Play Day

 Dr. Jeno Kamuti, President of the International “Fair Play” Committee spoke of the importance of promoting the practice of “Fair Play” around the world, a concept in the world of sports meaning  honest and correct behavior that the athletes must observe towards their opponent, the referee and everyone.

“Fair Play” is characterized by competing fairly and enjoying the sport tempered by the ambition to win. He added that “Fair Play” is having respect for the opponent and the rules; practicing  fair play, without cheating, tricks or simulations to confuse the opponent or the judge; not to offend, humiliate or mistreat any participant in the contest, and, very important: “Fair Play” is to accept defeat with dignity and enjoy victory with simplicity and respect, for this reason, Doctor Jeno officially declared today as World Fair Play Day.

 Jorge Castro Rea, Representative of the International Fair Play Committee in the Latin American and Caribbean Region explained that this is a type of sports behavior model serves as an example to children and adolescents, but also to society assigning a day of celebration around the world.

Carlos Padilla, President of the Mexican Olympic Committee, stressed  that one of the objectives of “Fair Play” is to avoid as much as possible all kinds of conducts or behaviors that harm sport, while encouraging by example, that society adopts this ethic, so that the world will be a healthier place.

 WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, said that the entire boxing family celebrates the institution of September 7 as the “World Fair Play Day.” He said that boxing is a sport of dignity. An important  worldwide and fulfilled aim, has been the creation of the Clean Boxing Program where fighters are subjected to random tests inside or outside of competition.

Mauricio commented that the WBC continues in the fight against discrimination and any abuse of power. He assured that all the members of the WBC work constantly and with dedication, for human equality and inclusion. Through the Scholas Ocurrentes program – Box Val, they have carried the message of His Holiness Pope Francis, with the task of prioritizing  children in search of a better future for them, regardless of religion, race or color, promoting the values ​​of improvement, effort, respect and companionship.

He explained that the WBC has implemented a code of ethics that is a model of behavior on which the entire community must base its actions, as well as instant replay where it seeks to promote justice when a ring official has made a mistake.

Mauricio Sulaiman spoke about the United for Peace campaign in order to promote peace and universal values. He explained that the WBC champions have different origins, countries, religions and traits, but they are all united and this is the best example that there are no limits to the power of unity. He closed his speech by pledging that all members of the WBC carry the “Fair Play” flag with honor and pride. 

As special guests there were:  Mr. Jonathan Pedroza Ortiz, Director of the International Fair Play Committee in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Mr. José Antonio Pérez Priego (Mexico) President of the International Federation of Water Skiing, Mr. Eduardo Abdalah (Nicaragua), President of the Pan American Bodybuilding Confederation, Mr. Henry Núñez (Costa Rica), President of the National Olympic Committee of Costa Rica, boxer Sebastián Heiland (Argentina), Luisa Villar Gálvez (Peru), President of the Association Paralympic National of Peru, Rockwell “Rocky” Herron (USA), Special Agent of the DEA and Fair Play Promoter, Professor Ernesto Ramírez Valladares (El Salvador), Sports Promoter, María José Alcalá (Mexico), Head of Sports Diplomacy and Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the sports professor Elías Adolfo Avila Gil (Cuba).