Exhibition and discussion „Georgi Asparuhov and Nikola Kotkov – worthy figures of Bulgarian sport“ at NSA

On October 15, 2025, an exhibition and discussion entitled „Georgi Asparuhov and Nikola Kotkov – worthy figures of Bulgarian sport“ took place at the Educational and Olympic Center of the NSA. The date was not chosen by chance, as on this day 83 years ago the training began at the newly opened State Higher School of Physical Education (today NSA „Vasil Levski“).

The exhibition included rare materials from the collection of Mihail Tsvetkov, who has dedicated his free time over the past half-century to collecting archival publications, unique photos, articles, books, and objects related to the football club „Levski“, as well as to Asparuhov and Kotkov. Among the exhibits were an issue of the magazine „Nasha Rodina“ from 1955 with a color cover photo of Gundi wearing a little-known „Levski“ kit, a football-themed board game from the early 1960s similar to „Ludo“ called „Levski“ - „Slavia“, and many other materials.

In the packed hall were Assoc. Prof. Emil Atanasov – Dean of the Faculty of Sports, Prof. Biser Tsolov – Head of the Department of „Management and History of Sport“, which organized the event, Prof. Lachezar Dimitrov – Rector of NSA during 2003–2012, the collector Mihail Tsvetkov, Maria Tashkova – first cousin of Gundi on his mother’s side, Assoc. Prof. Stefan Vaglarov – physical education teacher of Asparuhov in high school and lecturer in rhythmics and dance at NSA, Prof. Eleonora Mileva, whose idea and contacts made the event possible, Ruslan Vutsov – son of Ivan Vutsov and a close friend of Gundi’s family, students from the 55th Secondary School „Petko Karavelov“, teachers, and many guests.

A video compilation of archival footage from the BNT archives was shown, collected by Assoc. Prof. Emilia Vitanova, Assist. Vanya Yordanova, and PhD student Alexander Enkov. Prof. Lozan Mitev, Head of the Educational and Olympic Center, opened the event, emphasizing that it was dedicated to the magic of personalities who continue to inspire through their talent, perseverance, and exemplary character, turning Bulgarian sport into a symbol of strength, courage, dignity, and nobility. 

Prof. Mitev presented a donation certificate to Mihail Tsvetkov, who announced that after the exhibition, he would leave part of the exhibits in the center, as it is the best place for their preservation and so that they can reach more people. Assoc. Prof. Emil Atanasov, Dean of the Faculty of Sports, greeted the guests on behalf of the academic leadership, thanking all those who prepared the exhibition for the great educational impact of such events, especially on young people. 

Prof. Biser Tsolov showed a photo he took as a child, ten days after the fatal car accident on June 30, 1971, in which Asparuhov and Kotkov died, showing the already built pyramid memorial there. Prof. Lachezar Dimitrov shared personal memories of Gundi, including a friendly match between „Chepinets“ and „Levski“, in which the future NSA rector participated as a young footballer.

Assoc. Prof. Stefan Vaglarov recalled not only his student Asparuhov but also a journey they shared in the same train compartment from Plovdiv to Sofia and their conversations at the time, as well as the fact that members of the „Levski“ volleyball team once approached him in high school asking him to transfer Gundi from football to volleyball. Maria Tashkova emotionally recalled her childhood memories with Georgi, who was like a brother to her, and how later, as a famous footballer, he loved to play with the people from his neighborhood. Ruslan Vutsov also shared interesting stories about Asparuhov and Kotkov.

At the end of the event, before closing it, Prof. Mitev shared his memories of how „Levski“ was at the core of the football school in Godech; Gundi’s father was from the nearby village of Berende, and for that reason, Asparuhov often visited the town, where he played together with other „Levski“ players and the local team, with photos of those matches still preserved.