site.btaVratsa to Have Team in Men's National Basketball League for First Time

For the first time, Vratsa will have a team in the National Men's Basketball League, the club's Executive Director Hristo Iliev told journalists at a press conference. The press conference was also attended by Vratsa Mayor Kalin Kamenov, Botevgrad Mayor Ivan Gavalyugov, and Bulgarian Basketball Federation Executive Director Filip Videnov, amongst others.

A joint project between the municipalities of Vratsa and Botevgrad was presented for partnership and support of the Botev Vratsa basketball team, which will compete with the big teams in the country from the beginning of the new season. "Negotiations are underway for two players born in Vratsa to participate in the men's team, namely Filip Kamenov, who plays in Germany and Pavel Antonov, who plays in the US," Iliev noted, adding that a coach for the team is also being sought.

Gavalyugov stressed that the cost of a team that is fighting for the championship spots in the National Men's Basketball League is over BGN 1 million, but there are good practices that show that when a municipality stands behind a team, funds are found that are sustainable over time. He noted that Botevgrad Municipality allocates an average of between BGN 100,000 and 200,000 annually to support sports clubs, adding that the goal of the joint project with Vratsa is to create competitive basketball in Northwestern Bulgaria.

"We want the Vratsa team to have an identity, to be recognized by the audience in the town. Vidin also has ambitions for men's basketball, Pleven is traditionally a strong centre. Although Pleven is also an example of the fact that when the municipality does not stand behind the team, it is difficult to find funds," Gavalyugov emphasized. He pointed out that the professional teams are a reflection of the youth teams below, and the Botevgrad academy is one of the best in the country.

"At first, we will start with young players from Botevgrad. Our goal is for children to play sports, to develop the children's and youth school following the example of Botevgrad, because the more we invest in sports, the less money will be needed for treatment," Kamenov said.  "At first, Vratsa will not need such a huge budget, because we will not have these goals and ambitions. We will work together as a team, we will build the Arena Vratsa hall, that is, we will gradually take our steps," Kamenov said.

He pointed out that his idea is to create a strong class in the city's sports school, where young athletes can be trained, adding that within a few months the project for the construction of Arena Vratsa hall will be ready and a selection for a contractor will be announced. A new, modern sports hall will be operating in Vratsa within two to three years, he concluded.

"This project is very important for the Bulgarian Basketball Federation, as it will help renew the men's national team. This year, the Balkan Botevgrad team showed how important it is to have a sustainable youth academy. They played with young players who won a bronze medal, which is an exceptional success," Videnov pointed out. He stated that stable financing and the support of municipalities is very important, noting that the Bulgarian Basketball Federation is assisting in licensing the sports hall in Vratsa, so that the upcoming matches can be hosted there.