NSA welcomed the world volleyball vice-champions

With loud applause and great excitement, the NSA „Vasil Levski“ welcomed its students – the world vice-champions with Bulgaria’s national volleyball team.

The academic leadership, volleyball department lecturers, and students gave a standing ovation to Alex Grozdanov – team captain, Andrey Zhekov – assistant coach, Venislav Antov – opposite hitter, and Damyan Kolev – libero, while Rector Prof. Krassimir Petkov presented each of them with the badge of the National Sports Academy.

„On behalf of the academic leadership of the NSA „Vasil Levski“, I thank you for the joy you brought to all Bulgarians,“ emphasized Prof. Petkov.

„It’s somewhat easier when you go to a tournament as an uncertain and lesser-known team and come back as the second-best in the world. It’s much harder when you achieve such a positive result, recognized not only in Bulgaria but globally, and you face your next challenge as one of the favorites. That will be your next test. Respect for everything you’ve achieved – we are proud of you. And don’t forget: after volleyball, you must find your path in life. The investment in your education is entirely yours,“ the Rector of NSA stressed.

„You filled our hearts! I wish you health, strong nerves, and good luck in the future. You already have the mastery, but you must continue to develop in every way, and education is an essential part of that. Play as you have so far – with spirit and heart – without fear of losing sometimes,“ added Prof. Nikolay Izov – Vice-Rector, while the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Hristo Andonov, advised: „I hope you continue to train with the same persistence and stay humble. Good luck in everything!“

„Thank you for the respect, and thank you to the National Sports Academy for the support to the national team! It’s very important for us to complete our education, as it greatly helps in the career of professional athletes. I work with a psychologist who teaches at the Sports Academy. There were many key moments that helped during the World Championship and throughout our preparation this year,“ said team captain Alex Grozdanov, who works with Senior Assistant Ivan Ivanov from the Department of „Psychology, Pedagogy, and Sociology“ at NSA for psychological counseling. 

The volleyball players visited the Educational and Olympic Center, where numerous awards of the Academy’s alumni, who have left a lasting mark in world sports history, are on display.