CSKA’s Sports Director Paulo Noga Expressed Interest in Cooperation with NSA

The academic leadership of the National Sports Academy held a working meeting with the sports director of PFC CSKA (Sofia), Paulo Noga.

The Portuguese expert, who recently joined the club’s management, shared key elements of his vision for CSKA’s development and emphasized that it is extremely important for him to find good specialists to implement his strategy. This is precisely why Noga sought support from the Sports Academy, which possesses expert capacity, its own Center for Scientific and Applied Activities in Sport, the necessary research infrastructure, and high-quality facilities for training and competition. The NSA campus is also home to the Coaching School of the Bulgarian Football Union, which conducts training courses under the auspices of UEFA.

The Rector of NSA, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, and Vice-Rector Prof. Nikolay Izov introduced Paulo Noga to the structure of the Academy and the key activities that shape its unique profile as the only higher education institution in Bulgaria specialized in sports, physical education, and kinesitherapy. The guest was especially impressed by the comprehensive training provided to NSA graduates.

During the meeting, ideas were exchanged on increasing the effectiveness of training and improving footballers across different age groups. NSA has the necessary experts to assist in the development of training methodologies, conditioning, psychological support, sports nutrition, physiotherapy, and sports medicine. A particularly important task was identified as working with the families of young football players, whose parents often need guidance on what is expected of them and how they can be helpful in the complex process of their children’s development as athletes. 

Paulo Noga expressed satisfaction and gratitude for the productive discussions, as well as his desire for active cooperation with NSA.

The conversation also included Prof. Albena Alexandrova – Head of the Center for Scientific and Applied Activities in Sport, USA '94 football legend Ivaylo Yordanov – an NSA graduate and Portuguese champion with Sporting (2000), as well as the psychologist of CSKA’s first team, Assistant Polina Hadzhiyankova, a lecturer at the Sports Academy.