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Hectic schedule for the FIFA President in Bulgaria

/noticias.info/ The FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter was certainly kept busy on his visit to the Bulgarian Republic on 15 November 2005. First on the list was the inauguration ceremony for the GOAL Project, based in the capital Sofia. At Blatter's side during proceedings was the President of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU), none other than Borislav Mihailov, who kept goal for Bulgaria at USA 1994.

In the presence of both local and national politicians, as well as several members of the press pack, the ribbons were cut to formally open Bulgaria's new House of Football in the country's capital. The facilities boast everything that the Union's new board of directors could possibly need as they strive to improve Bulgarian football all the way down to grassroots level.

Shortly afterwards, the FIFA President was on the move again, saying goodbye to Bulgarian football's new home and heading to meet an assortment of the country's leading academics. Just days after having received an Honorary Doctorate in Arts from De Montfort University in Leicester, bestowed on those of intellectual, cultural and professional distinction, Joseph S. Blatter was once again awarded an Honorary Doctorate, this time by the "Vassil Levski" National Sports Academy (NSA).

The NSA is the most prestigious educational institution of its kind in Bulgaria. Having been granted University status, its staff specialise in preparing the nation's P.E. teachers and sports coaches.

As well as being renowned throughout the world for its scientific achievements, the NSA is also famous for the international sporting successes enjoyed by its alumni and the distinguished list of celebrities who have been granted an honorary title.

Professor Lachezar Dimitrov, Rector of the NSA, was the man charged with presenting Joseph S. Blatter with a commemorative medal and the Honorary Doctorate in a poignant ceremony in the Academy's Aula Magna. Several members of the Government and the Bulgarian Football Union were present, as well as the Swiss ambassador to Bulgaria and the upper echelons of Sofia's academia, not forgetting athletes and students from the centre itself.

"It's a great honour and a privilege to be here receiving this Honorary Doctorate at this prestigious institution," began Blatter, who was clearly moved by the occasion. During his thank you speech, the FIFA President was keen to point out the important social role football had to play, including fighting racism and discrimination as well as educating the children of tomorrow. The challenges facing society "need to be overcome by initiatives, of which football and education are two integral and indispensable parts. Football schools you in life and for life," he pointed out.

Official reception

The icing on the cake of a hectic day spent in Sofia saw the FIFA President officially welcomed by the President of the Bulgarian Republic, Georgi Parvanov. Senes Erzik, the first vice-president of UEFA, as well as the executive board of the BFU were also present as the two presidents chatted amiably about football's role in Bulgarian society and about the support that both FIFA and the country's political institutions are prepared to offer the federation's new project.

President Parvanov stated his firm belief that "there's no better way to solve the problems faced by the youth of today than through sport." "Everything must be done in the spirit of Fair Play, both on and off the pitch."

President Blatter, who fully agreed with Parvanov's ideas, added a few words of his own. "If we can use the game to help our young people stick to the ideals of Fair Play, discipline and respect, which the game engenders, we will see them become not just better players but better people too." notas_de_prensa_archivo