As a result of accumulated obligations on the part of the Association “Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation” (BFVT) to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MMS), in 2024 the federation did not conclude a contract for financial support for sports activities during the year, which set at risk is the preparation and participation of the Bulgarian weightlifters in the upcoming international competitions of the highest rank – the Olympic Games, the World Championships for men and women and the European This was announced by the press center of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Despite the above, from the time he took office until the present moment, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Georgi Glushkov, ensures the preparation and participation of Bulgarian athletes in a number of international competitions.
Thanks to the efforts of Minister Glushkov and his team, the participation of our weightlifters at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris was ensured, where Carlos Nassar won a gold medal and Bozhidar Andreev – a bronze award.
After talks between Minister Glushkov and Asen Hristov – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of “Electrohold Bulgaria” AD, the sum of 36,000 US dollars, which the BFVT owed to the international headquarters for the participation of the athletes, was secured. Thanks to this, the athletes with earned quotas, were allowed to participate in the biggest sports forum - the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
The MMC has secured and provided targeted financial means for the participation in the Olympic Games of the three sports clubs, in which the Bulgarian weightlifters Carlos Nassar, Bozhidar Andreev and Ivan Dimov train, in a total value of BGN 215,956. The funds cover preparation and recovery, as well as funds for the athletes and their coaches’ remuneration for the period May-August 2024.
Again, with the assistance of Minister Glushkov, the weightlifting competitors’ fees for their participation in the World Championships for men and women in Bahrain and the European Junior Championships in Poland were paid – BGN 82,000. It is a well-known fact that without pre-paid fees, no athlete can participate in competitions included in the International Sports Calendar of the respective federation.
The participation of the Bulgarian weightlifters in the European Junior Championship, held in Warsaw in the period 25.10-03.11.2024, is additionally ensured. and the men’s and women’s World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, to be held in December 2024, after the weightlifters shared difficulties they had to deal with due to the lack of funds to participate and problems with the federation’s leadership.
For this purpose, the MMC has secured and provided financial means for participation in the European Junior Championships and the World Championships for men and women to ten sports clubs, where the Bulgarian weightlifters, representing Bulgaria at the competitions, train. The funds cover the preparation and recovery of the athletes, as well as funds for the weightlifters and the remuneration of their coaches and are worth a total of BGN 431,500 for the period September-December 2024.
Apart from that, under the Sports Club Development Program for 2024, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has financed the activities of 22 weightlifting clubs for a total of BGN 564,320, including the activities of the clubs that subsequently received additional funding for participation in the Olympic Games, the European Championship in Poland and the World Championship in Bahrain.
Given what has been stated so far, Minister Glushkov has repeatedly shared that these decisions are temporary, crisis decisions that should not be put into practice. In this regard, the management of the BFVT should work to solve the problems that have arisen.
Given the above, the Ministry of Youth and Sports admits that the decision to refuse future sports appearances of the athlete Bozhidar Andreev is a personal one.
The same should not be related to the lack of financial means for the athlete’s preparation and participation in sports forums during the year, since the Ministry of Youth and Sports has previously provided the necessary financial means for the athlete and his coach – in the total amount of BGN 104,389. for which funding contracts have been concluded with the “Hristo Bachvarov” Weightlifting Sports Club – Sliven for the period May-December 2024.
In May 2024 the competitor Bozhidar Andreev was paid a cash prize in the amount of BGN 60,000 for the prizes he won at the European Weightlifting Championships for men and women, held in the period 12-20.02.2024. in the city Sofia.
The process of paying the bonuses to the Bulgarian weightlifters and their coaches has not been completed due to the public disagreement in the allocation of funds for the coaches and officials and the opportunity provided by the MMC to review the same. At the moment, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has not received any further information from the BFVT regarding the case. In view of the above, actions have been taken and the monetary rewards have been paid only to Carlos Nassar and Bozhidar Andreev.
What are the financial challenges currently faced by the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation?
Interview between Time.news Editor (E) and Sports Expert (S)
E: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. The Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation is facing quite a challenging situation this year regarding funding and preparation for international competitions. Can you give us an overview of what led to this scenario?
S: Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s a critical time for the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation (BFVT). The federation has accumulated obligations towards the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MMS), which has resulted in not securing financial support for 2024. This has raised significant concerns about the athletes’ preparation for major international competitions, most notably the Olympic Games in Paris.
E: It sounds like a precarious position, especially with such important events on the horizon. What actions has Minister Georgi Glushkov taken to mitigate this crisis?
S: Minister Glushkov has stepped in decisively. Despite the lack of a formal contract for financial support, he and his team have worked to ensure athletes can still participate in international events. He managed to secure emergency funding, such as $36,000 to pay off debts owed to the international federation, which was crucial for athletes to participate in the Olympics.
E: That’s really an impressive effort under the circumstances. So, did this funding solution extend to cover training and preparation costs as well?
S: Absolutely. The Ministry has allocated significant funds to support the training and remuneration of athletes and their coaches. For instance, they provided BGN 215,956 for three sports clubs training top athletes, ensuring they can prepare adequately for the Olympics and other championships.
E: Minister Glushkov’s actions seem to have a proactive approach. However, he also labeled these measures as “temporary, crisis decisions.” What does this imply for the future of Bulgarian weightlifting?
S: It suggests that while immediate needs are being addressed, the underlying structural issues within the BFVT need resolution. The minister is urging the federation’s management to find sustainable solutions rather than relying on emergency funding repeatedly. This indicates a need for improved governance and financial management within Bulgarian weightlifting.
E: Interesting point. Moving forward, how can the BFVT leverage this situation to prevent similar crises in the future?
S: The federation must focus on building strong partnerships, perhaps with private sponsors or corporations, to diversify funding sources. Additionally, establishing better fiscal accountability and transparency within its management could enhance trust and support from both the public and private sectors. This crisis could be a catalyst for long-term reform.
E: Looking ahead to the competitions like the World Championships and the European Junior Championships, what prospects do you see for the Bulgarian athletes?
S: If they can maintain their current momentum and if adequate support continues, I believe we can expect strong performances. Athletes like Carlos Nassar and Bozhidar Andreev have already proven their potential on the international stage, and with the right preparation and support, there’s a good chance they will carry on that success.
E: Thank you for your insights! It seems crucial for both the government and the BFVT to work collaboratively to secure a sustainable future for this sport in Bulgaria.
S: Exactly. Balancing immediate needs with long-term strategies will be key to ensuring that Bulgarian weightlifting continues to thrive, especially on international platforms.
E: Thank you once again for your time and expertise today. We hope to see positive developments in Bulgarian weightlifting soon!
S: Thank you for having me. I’m optimistic about the future!