site.btaSports Minister Keryazov Outlines Priorities, Signals Changes in Sports Governance

Youth and Sports Minister Encho Keryazov presented the challenges, priorities and key areas of his work for the coming months at a news briefing on Tuesday at his ministry, outlining measures planned to support Bulgarian sport and youth policy.

Deputy Minister Yulia Todorova also attended the briefing, during which Keryazov introduced the team that will assist him in implementing the goals and policy programme of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

"We held a working meeting with all directorates in the ministry. I met all the employees and conducted an anonymous survey, which gave us a clear picture of the problems within the institution. Based on the results, I decided to propose that Ms Todorova take up the post [deputy minister] because she has extensive experience within these structures," Keryazov said.

Todorova holds a master's degree in Economics and Management of Industry and a master's degree in Business Administration – Senior Management from the University of National and World Economy. She is a certified internal auditor in the public sector and has 30 years of professional experience, including 26 years in public administration.

Keryazov said he expected to appoint a second deputy minister by the end of the month.

"I want to make the right choice. The person will have a different professional profile," he said.

The minister also presented the findings of an analysis of the ministry, the sports sector, youth policy and sports federations conducted after he took office on May 8.

"We need amendments to the Physical Education and Sports Act that serve athletes first and foremost. At the moment, the system is structured differently. I know it will not be easy, but we now have a clear roadmap and we must deliver," Keryazov said.

He indicated that the management boards of three state-owned sports companies – National Sports Base, Serdika Sports Properties and Akademika 2011 – were likely to be replaced after the companies reported combined losses of approximately BGN 9 million. National Sports Base posted losses of about BGN 3 million, Serdika Sports Properties around BGN 4 million and Akademika 2011 approximately BGN 2 million.

"Even if they are not profitable, they cannot be operating at a loss," Keryazov said.

He added that work with the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator would also be among his priorities. While the state lottery operator reported a profit of BGN 30 million, "these results could be significantly better," he said.