Today, 17 April 2026, the International Handball Federation (IHF) proudly joins the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the global anti-doping community in celebrating Play True Day 2026, a worldwide initiative dedicated to clean sport.

This year's campaign returns with the theme "Play True. It Starts with You." - a powerful reminder that protecting the integrity of sport is a personal one, rather than a collective one. Every athlete makes choices every day that either uphold or undermine the values that make sport meaningful. Play True Day is a call to make the right ones.

A Movement That Keeps Growing

Since its launch in 2014 - born out of a WADA Education Conference attended by 17 South American countries - Play True Day has evolved into a truly global movement. In 2024, on its 10th anniversary, over 100 countries and 50 organisations participated, generating nearly 200 million impressions and 260,000 engagements on social media. In 2025, the campaign saw a 49% increase in social media engagement compared to the previous year, with the inaugural #PlayTrueChallenge - a fitness-based activity - demonstrating just how powerfully individual action can inspire collective impact.

WADA President Witold Bańka reinforced this message: "Propelled by the theme 'Play True. It Starts with You,' we reaffirm a simple but essential commitment, that protecting sport begins with each of us. By choosing to Play True, every athlete, every Anti-Doping Organization and every other stakeholder contributes to safeguarding the integrity of sport for athletes worldwide."

The IHF Stands for Clean Sport

The IHF has been a proud supporter of Play True Day for several years and once again calls on the entire handball community - athletes, coaches, referees, clubs and national federations - to stand up for clean sport today and every day.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #PlayTrue, #PlaySafe and #PlayTrueDay, and pledge your personal commitment to a sport built on fairness, honesty and respect.

Because clean sport starts with you.

For more information about WADA and Play True Day, visit here.