The rector of NSA awarded the honorary medal to SУ "Vasil Levski" - Plovdiv on the school's 75th anniversary

The first sports school in Bulgaria, SУ "Vasil Levski" - Plovdiv, celebrated its 75th anniversary with a ceremony held on October 10, 2024. In honor of the anniversary and in appreciation of the achievements of the educators and alumni, the rector of the National Sports Academy, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, awarded the school with the Honorary Medal of NSA. The prestigious award, granted by a decision of the Academic Leadership, was presented to Ms. Ruzhka Genova, the director of SУ "Vasil Levski," for her contributions to educational, research, and sports activities.

“With the establishment of the Sports School ‘Vasil Levski’ - Plovdiv, the foundations were laid for creating a constellation of renowned athletes who have brought global fame to our country. The numerous successes and titles achieved by your students are an inseparable part of our national pride as Bulgarians; moreover, they are a national capital. I am happy that over the past decades, the excellent cooperation between the National Sports Academy and the Sports School ‘Vasil Levski’ - Plovdiv continues to be enhanced, thanks to numerous joint initiatives aimed at developing education, physical education, and sports,” noted rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov in his greeting.

The ceremony gathered over 500 guests in the "Kolodruma" hall, including Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Andonov, the Plovdiv regional governor, Prof. Kristina Yancheva, Deputy Mayor Nikolai Buhalov, Plovdiv Metropolitan Nikolai, Dean of the Faculty of Sports at NSA, Assoc. Prof. Emil Atanasov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation, Krasimir Dunev, representatives of state institutions and sports organizations, and a host of iconic athletes who are alumni of the school.

SУ "Vasil Levski" is the first sports school in Bulgaria, opened in 1949 under the name Technicum for Physical Culture and Sports. Since 1974, its patron has been the Apostle of Freedom, Vasil Levski. Its graduates have brought Bulgaria numerous awards from the Olympic Games, world, and European championships.