SAMBO Joins Play True Day 2026: "Play True. It Starts with You"

Every April, the global sporting community comes together to celebrate Play True Day – a worldwide initiative launched by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to champion the values of integrity, fairness, and respect in sport. In 2026, the international SAMBO community is once again proud to stand alongside athletes and organizations across the world in support of this movement.

"Play True. It Starts with You"

The theme of Play True Day 2026 – "Play True. It Starts with You" – puts the spotlight on personal responsibility: the responsibility of every athlete, coach, and anti-doping stakeholder to protect the integrity of sport. Clean sport doesn't happen by accident. It is built through the choices we make every single day.

WADA President Witold Bańka put it simply: "Once again, I am calling on athletes and the global anti-doping community to join us on Play True Day 2026. Propelled by the theme 'Play True. It Starts with You,' we reaffirm a simple but essential truth: protecting sport begins with each of us."

A Growing Global Movement

Since its launch in 2014, Play True Day has grown into a truly worldwide movement. In 2025, the campaign saw a 49% increase in social media engagement compared to the previous year. And in 2024, on its 10th anniversary, more than 100 countries and 50 organizations took part, generating nearly 200 million impressions and 260,000 social media engagements around the world.

FIAS and SAMBO: Committed to Fair Play

The International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) has been a proud supporter of Play True Day since its very first edition in 2014. Year after year, SAMBO athletes from around the world have demonstrated their commitment to the core values of the sport – respect, integrity, and equality. The #FairSambo campaign has become a symbol of that commitment, with athletes and national federations sharing their stories and strengthening a global community rooted in the spirit of fair play.

In 2026, SAMBO carries that tradition forward under the banner of personal accountability. Every time a SAMBO athlete steps onto the mat – in training or in competition – they make a choice. A choice to play true.

How to Get Involved

We invite athletes, coaches, and fans to be part of Play True Day 2026:

- Download the official toolkit from WADA's Play True Day webpage (available in English, French, and Spanish) and share it across your social media channels.

- Share your #PlayTrue moment – a photo or video showing what clean sport means to you, whether it's a training session, a message of support, or your personal pledge to play fair.

- Bring your community together – encourage your teammates, coaches, and friends to join the campaign and amplify the message.

- Stay connected – follow WADA and FIAS on social media before, during, and after April 17 to be part of the global conversation on clean sport.

This year, WADA has also announced that it will recognize those who go the extra mile to champion the values of fair play.

On April 17, 2026, let's say it together: clean sport starts with me. Join the worldwide sambo community and millions of athletes across the globe – because together, we can make sport cleaner, safer, and more inspiring for everyone.