FIVB President attends “100 years of Volleyball in Bulgaria” Gala alongside State President Rumen Radev

The FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° joined the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation under the leadership of the legendary former Bulgarian volleyball player Lubomir Ganev to participate in the “100 years of Volleyball in Bulgaria” Gala earlier this week alongside State President Rumen Radev.

With the Vice-President Petar Kynev and Minister of Youth and Sports Vesela Lecheva (Photo credit: BVF)

The prominent guests included the FIVB 2nd Executive Vice-President and CEV President Aleksandar Boričić, FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo. There were also ministers in attendance and many high-ranking officials from the European and Bulgarian Volleyball families.

With the President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Stefka Kostadinova (Photo credit: BVF)

The event celebrated the centenary of the most successful team sport in the country and focused on the legends who have written their names in the history books. The gala also was an occassion to express gratitude to all the people and clubs who have contributed to the development of Bulgarian volleyball over the years.

Commemorative plagues were presented to the great Bulgarian male and female athletes present at the event (Photo credit: BVF)

During the event, 88 great Bulgarian male and female athletes were honored. President Ganev, presented commemorative plaques to all who were present at the gala. The awardees were medalists from the Olympic Games, World and European Championships.

FIVB President addressing the guests (Photo credit: BVF)

Addressing the guests of the Gala, the FIVB President said:

“Both the men’s and women’s national volleyball teams of Bulgaria have won many medals at the major European and international tournaments, including a silver medal in the men’s tournament and bronze medal in the women’s event at the Olympic Games Moscow 1980.

“Bulgaria also has very strong hosting credentials having staged a number of top volleyball events. We all remember a highly successful FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2018 co-hosted by Bulgaria and Italy. Three Bulgarian cities Ruse, Varna and Sofia welcomed some of the best volleyball men’s teams with loyal and passionate fans cheering them on in the packed venues.”

The FIVB President also praised the strong partnership between the FIVB and the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation under the strong leadership of the great volleyball player Ganev.