In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through the water polo community, the Ministry of Youth and sports has halted funding for several prominent water polo clubs. This decision has left thousands of young athletes without the resources they need to continue their training and development in swimming sports.
The news was revealed in a letter sent by the sports department to the “Association of Water Polo Sports Clubs – CSKA,” the “Water Polo Club at the United Sports Club - Slavia” Association, and the “Water Polo Sports club – Lokomotiv – Nikola nanov” Association.The letter has sparked outrage among those working in the field, who see this move as a significant blow to the future of water polo in the country.
A Call to Action from the Water Polo Community
The water polo community has issued a public statement expressing their frustration and calling for accountability. The statement, published without editorial intervention, reads:
“to the water polo community, parents, officials, and citizens:
The water polo clubs remain without funding due to the incompetent management of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation!
Based on the official response from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, it is clear that the main reason why the clubs do not have funding is the incompetent and deliberately manipulative management of the Board of Directors in the person of D. Danovsky and his supporters. The Federation did not provide the necessary data and assessment of the clubs’ activity for the previous year, which was a mandatory condition for the allocation of funds.
Additionally, the two clubs that filed complaints - Levski Sofia and Cherno More-Ticha – are directly responsible for the suspension of funding for all clubs. These actions, combined with a lack of accountability and clarity on the part of the federation’s leadership, have led to the current crisis.
However, this is not only an attack on sports clubs – it is an attack on Bulgarian children and their parents, who want their children to play sports and grow up healthy and active. The lack of funding means that hundreds of children will be deprived of the possibility to practice water polo, a sport that instills discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness.
it is indeed especially scandalous that D. Danovski and L.Bonev, key figures in this administration, do not even live in Bulgaria! They are completely detached from reality and do not care at all about our children and the future of sports in our country. In addition, they systematically bring foreign coaches to our national teams with the sole purpose of being ‘ob’.”
The statement highlights the deep-seated issues within the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation, particularly the lack of transparency and accountability from its leadership. The decision to halt funding has been met with widespread condemnation, as it directly impacts the future of young athletes who rely on these resources to pursue their dreams in water polo.
This crisis not only affects the clubs but also the broader community, as it deprives children of the opportunity to engage in a sport that fosters discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. the water polo community is calling for immediate action to address these issues and ensure that the future of the sport is protected.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation will respond to the growing outcry. For now, the focus remains on the thousands of young athletes whose futures hang in the balance.
Bulgarian Water Polo Crisis: Clubs Demand Leadership Resignation Amid Funding Controversy
A growing crisis in Bulgarian water polo has sparked outrage among clubs, athletes, and parents, with calls for the immediate resignation of the sport’s governing body. The situation has escalated as accusations of mismanagement, funding manipulation, and disregard for local coaches have come to the forefront.
The controversy centers around the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation (SC), led by D. Danovski and L.Bonev, who are accused of prioritizing foreign “analysts” and “statisticians” over local coaches.These foreign experts, funded through programs supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MMS), have been criticized for undermining the efforts of Bulgarian specialists dedicated to developing local talent.
“This is an open attack against the local specialists who devote their time and effort to the development of Bulgarian athletes.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the SC has been accused of blocking funding to clubs that refuse to comply with their demands. Danovski has attempted to shift blame, claiming that the lack of funding is due to clubs rejecting the federation’s reports and budgets. However, critics argue that the real issue lies in the federation’s inadequate governance and its refusal to address the concerns of the clubs.
A Call for Change
In a bold move, 12 to 13 of the 18 clubs involved in bulgarian water polo have publicly withdrawn their support for the SC, demanding a leadership overhaul. Notably, clubs like “Fortuna” Haskovo and Blagoevgrad, which have minimal active sports programs, have also joined the call for change.
“We call on the members of the Board of Directors, including D. danovski and L. Bonev, to immediately resign and leave Bulgarian water polo.This management has humiliated and harmed the sport, the clubs, the children and their parents.”
The discontent extends beyond the clubs, with parents, athletes, and coaches uniting to demand accountability. They argue that the current leadership’s actions are not only hindering the growth of water polo but also jeopardizing the future of young athletes in Bulgaria.
A Battle for the future
The ongoing dispute has been described as a fight not just for the sport of water polo,but for the development of Bulgarian youth. Supporters of the movement emphasize the importance of fostering local talent and ensuring that resources are allocated transparently and effectively.
“We call on all parents, athletes, coaches and citizens to unite and demand obligation from those who deliberately block the development of sports in Bulgaria. This is a battle not only for the future of water polo, but also for the future of Bulgarian children!”
As the crisis deepens, the call for a new beginning grows louder. The Bulgarian water polo community is rallying together, urging for a leadership change that prioritizes the sport’s future and the well-being of its athletes.
The future of Bulgarian water polo hangs in the balance, with the sport’s stakeholders determined to see a leadership that values transparency, accountability, and the development of local talent.
### Bulgarian Water Polo Crisis: Clubs demand Leadership Resignation Amid Funding Controversy
The future of Bulgarian water polo is under threat as clubs, athletes, and parents demand accountability and transparency from the sport’s governing body. The Bulgarian Water Polo Federation (BWPF) has come under fire for mismanagement, funding manipulation, and prioritizing foreign experts over local coaches. This crisis has left thousands of young athletes without the resources thay need to continue their training and development in swimming sports.
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### **Interview wiht Senior Editor and Water Polo Specialist**
**Senior Editor (SE):** Thank you for joining us today to discuss the ongoing crisis in bulgarian water polo. Can you provide some background on how this situation has escalated to such a critical point?
**Water polo Specialist (WPS):** Certainly. The current crisis stems from the decision by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to halt funding for several prominent water polo clubs. This decision was communicated in a letter sent to the “Association of Water Polo Sports Clubs – CSKA,” the “Water Polo Club at the United Sports Club – Slavia” Association, and the ”Water Polo Sports Club – Lokomotiv - Nikola Nanov” Association. The letter cited the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation’s failure to provide necessary data and assessments as the reason for the funding suspension.
**SE:** What are the key issues that have been raised by the water polo community in response to this decision?
**WPS:** The community has been vocal about several key issues. First and foremost, there is a lack of transparency and accountability within the leadership of the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation, particularly from D. Danovski and L. Bonev. These individuals are accused of mismanaging funds and prioritizing foreign “analysts” and “statisticians” over local coaches. This has led to a situation where local talent is being overlooked, and the development of Bulgarian athletes is being hindered.
**SE:** Can you elaborate on the role of foreign experts in this controversy?
**WPS:** Absolutely. The use of foreign experts, funded through programs supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has been a point of contention. Many in the water polo community feel that these foreign experts are undermining the efforts of Bulgarian specialists who are dedicated to developing local talent. The community has expressed frustration that these foreign coaches are being brought in with the sole purpose of “observership,” rather than contributing to the growth of the sport in Bulgaria.
**SE:** The water polo community has issued a public statement calling for accountability. What are their primary demands?
**WPS:** The statement is quite clear in its demands.The community is calling for the immediate resignation of the current leadership of the Bulgarian Water Polo federation, including D.Danovski and L. Bonev. They are also demanding greater transparency in the allocation of funds and a commitment to prioritizing the development of local talent. The statement emphasizes that this is not just about funding; it’s about the future of Bulgarian children and their ability to participate in a sport that fosters discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness.
**SE:** How has the broader community responded to this crisis?
**WPS:** The response has been overwhelmingly negative. Parents, athletes, and coaches are all united in their condemnation of the current leadership. The lack of funding means that hundreds of children will be deprived of the possibility to practice water polo, which is a significant blow to the sport’s future in Bulgaria. The community is calling for immediate action to address these issues and ensure that the future of water polo is protected.
**SE:** What do you see as the potential outcomes of this crisis?
**WPS:** The outcomes are uncertain, but the situation is critical. If the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation do not take swift and decisive action,the future of water polo in Bulgaria could be irreparably damaged. The focus must be on ensuring that young athletes have the resources they need to continue their training and development. this means addressing the issues of transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of local talent.
**SE:** Thank you for your insights. Is there anything else you would like to add?
**WPS:** The water polo community is resilient, and I believe that with the right leadership and support, the sport can recover from this crisis. However, the current situation cannot continue. The future of Bulgarian water polo hangs in the balance, and it is up to the stakeholders to ensure that the sport is protected for future generations.
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### **Conclusion**
The crisis in Bulgarian water polo has highlighted the need for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to developing local talent.The water polo community is calling for immediate action to address these issues and ensure that the future of the sport is protected. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the thousands of young athletes whose futures hang in the balance.