site.btaProtest Calls for Resignation of Wrestling Federation Head Stanka Zlateva
A protest demanding the resignation of Bulgarian Wrestling Federation President Stanka Zlateva was held in front of the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Wednesday. Children from wrestling clubs, current and former wrestlers, coaches, former federation employees, CSKA supporters and others took part in the event.
Public figures attending the protest included European champion Kiril Milov, Olympic champion Semen Novikov and legendary wrestler Armen Nazaryan.
The protest was peaceful and lasted just over an hour. Demonstrators carried placards reading "No to Racism", "Resignation", "Stanka Out", "End to Backstage Deals", and "Honesty and Respect for Athletes", as well as Bulgarian flags. The protesters called for Zlateva’s resignation, the convening of a General Assembly and the holding of new elections.
The wrestlers’ discontent, mainly from CSKA Sofia, is linked to a rule requiring national competitors to prepare under a centralized programme with coaches appointed by the federation. They insist on training with their club coach Soslan Farniev and were forced to skip the World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb in the autumn of 2025. Under the federation’s statutes, the same would apply at the European Wrestling Championships in April 2026, in Tirana.
Allegations of discrimination concern the case of minor Nurdin Abdulaev of the Pleven wrestling team, who was not allowed to compete in the national championship due to the lack of permanent residence or a Bulgarian passport.
Earlier in the day, the federation said on its official website and social media that the claims made by CSKA and its athletes were unfounded.
/RY/
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