The Rector of the NSA awarded an honorary medal to the "Gen. Vladimir Stoychev" Secondary School on the 50th anniversary of the school

The Rector of the National Sports Academy, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, was among the official guests at the celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the "Gen. Vladimir Stoychev" Sports School. The excellent cooperation between the two institutions and the anniversary prompted the Academy to award the first sports school in Sofia with an honorary medal for its contribution to educational, research, and sports activities. The prestigious award was presented by Rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov to Mr. Boris Borisov, the director of "Gen. Vladimir Stoychev" Sports School, in the presence of NSA Assistant Rector Prof. Nikolai Izov and the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Assoc. Prof. Vera Antonova.

"For five decades, 'Gen. Vladimir Stoychev' Sports School has confidently walked the path to success, preserving the legacies of its patron and sustainably developing the traditions in sports-pedagogical practice. Among your alumni are Olympic champions and dozens of the most accomplished Bulgarian athletes. The successes and titles won by your students are numerous. These remarkable achievements are the result of the dedicated teamwork of the leadership of 'Gen. Vladimir Stoychev' Sports School, in sync with the daily efforts of educators, coaches, and athletes," stated Rector Prof. Petkov in his greeting.

The festive celebration took place at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, featuring a rich program of sports demonstrations attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Georgi Glushkov, and his Deputy Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Andonov, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Tanya Mihailova, representatives of state institutions and sports organizations, and dozens of stars of Bulgarian sports, including Olympic champions Maria Grozdeva, Tanya Bogomilova, and Rumyana Neykova.

The "Gen. Vladimir Stoychev" Sports School is the successor of the first sports school in the capital, which opened on September 1, 1974. It has changed its name several times, and since 2001, its patron has been the eminent athlete, Olympian, and leader Gen. Vladimir Stoychev. Its alumni have brought 17 Olympic medals and over 650 medals from world and European championships to Bulgaria.