The Bulgarian Canoe-Kayak Federation provided modern equipment to NSA "Vasil Levski"

The National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" and the Bulgarian Canoe-Kayak Federation (BFCF) signed a cooperation agreement. The document was signed in the Educational and Olympic Center by rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov and double Olympic champion Nikolay Buhalov, chairman of BFCF.

Prior to that, guests from the BFCF met with part of the academic leadership in the rector's office – Prof. Nikolai Izov (assistant rector), Assoc. Prof. Hristo Andonov (Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs), and Prof. Dr. Ivan Maznev (Secretary General). Together with Buhalov, the federation was represented by Damyan Damyanov (Technical Director), Evelina Petrova (Executive Director), Milko Kazanov (Head Coach), Filip Dukhovnikov, and Lazarina Petkova (Sports Organizer). Also present at the meeting were Antoaneta Boeva, head of the political cabinet of the Minister of Youth and Sports, and Assoc. Prof. Vesela Trenova and Senior Assistant Dimitar Ivanov from the "Rowing, Canoe-Kayak and Water Skiing" sector at the Department of Water Sports.

Prof. Krasimir Petkov shared that canoe-kayaking is one of Bulgaria's most successful sports, and the cooperation agreement with BFCF will undoubtedly benefit both organizations and the prosperity of Bulgarian sports. Nikolay Buhalov thanked the academic leadership for the support that canoe-kayaking has always received from the institution. He added that NSA provides competent specialists in canoe-kayaking and, with its scientific potential, offers more opportunities for the work of the coaches.

Damyan Damyanov, who has led the national team for 21 years, during which time they won 55 medals from Olympic, World, and European Championships, stated that the best coaches in canoe-kayaking traditionally share their experience through scientific articles, as well as lectures and exercises with the students of the Sports Academy.

The foundation of the cooperation agreement is the provision of modern equipment to NSA by BFCF. The Sports Academy will use a tracker and a force paddle with sensors, which are used to measure the biomechanical characteristics of the rowing cycle. Assoc. Prof. Trenova thanked for the equipment, which will allow for multiple testing of the best canoeists and kayakers from the national team and clubs.

The guests were impressed by the large variety of displayed documents, books, historical photographs, and medals of great Bulgarian athletes in the Educational and Olympic Center. Prof. Nikolai Izov suggested that BFCF also provide important trophies to the center, as their display would serve as a wonderful educational tool for fostering respect and love for sports among the many young people who visit it. Damyanov promised that the boat with which Bogdan Ivanov won sixth place at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics—the first major success of Bulgarian canoe-kayaking—would be delivered to the center.

Nikolay Buhalov also donated 15 copies of the book "100 Years of Canoe-Kayak" (1924-2024) to the Sports Academy. The luxurious almanac, authored by Nikolay Krystev and Ani Doncheva, was published by the federation to celebrate the centenary of canoe-kayaking both in Bulgaria and worldwide. The 280-page book features the greatest champions and coaches, presents all clubs, and highlights the federation's chairpersons over the years.

"Bulgarian canoe-kayaking has unique achievements. I thank the federation for providing the modern equipment. I am confident that valuable and useful research will be conducted with it. I wish Bulgarian canoeists and kayakers to write new successful chapters in history," said Prof. Krasimir Petkov.