site.btaVolleyball in Bulgaria Marks its Centenary

Bulgarian volleyball, one of the most successful team sports for the country, celebrates its 100th anniversary this week.

Volleyball in Bulgaria traces its beginnings to 1922, when the game was demonstrated for the first time in Sofia. In 1928, Bulgaria became one of the first countries where volleyball began to develop as an organized sport. While the International Olympic Committee was having its 53rd session in Sofia in 1957, an exhibition volleyball tournament was held in the national stadium, which was instrumental in making volleyball an Olympic sport.

Over the years, the Bulgarian national men's and women's volleyball teams have earned one silver and one bronze medal at Olympic Games, one silver and four bronzes at world championships, one gold, one silver and six bronzes at European championships.

A gala dinner on the centenary at Sofia's Grand Hotel Millennium on October 17 was attended by President Rumen Radev, former president Petar Stoyanov, International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) President Ary Graca, European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) President Aleksandar Boricic, Bulgaria's Youth and Sports Minister Vesela Lecheva and Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) President Stefka Kostadinova.

President Radev said in an address: "We are honouring all veterans who built the foundations of volleyball in Bulgaria, made the country a world power in this sport and preserved the traditions. You make us proud to be Bulgarian."

Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) President Lyubomir Ganev wished that the coming years be even more successful for Bulgarian volleyball. Dozens of figures who left their mark on the history of volleyball in Bulgaria were awarded special plaquettes. Ganev received presents from Ary Graca and Aleksandar Boricic.

Sports Minister Lecheva extended greetings to BVF and assured the audience that volleyball has a future and Bulgaria will be a successful host of the European men's championship.

BOC presented a special plaquette to BVF. During the gala dinner, BOC President Stefka Kostadinova talked with FIVB President Graca and CEV President Boricic, who acknowledged Bulgaria's contribution to the global development of volleyball and praised the excellent organization of world and European championships in the country.