site.btaDelyan Peevski's Single Condition to Cover Debts of Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation Is Good Management - Federation President

Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation (BWF) President Stefan Botev Thursday told a news conference that the hard days for the country's heavy athletics are over, following Wednesday's news that the Federation's debts will be covered by MRF - New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski. In Botev's words, the sum of some BGN 1 million needed to cover old debts will be provided by Peevski personally, and not by his party, under a single condition: correct management of the BWF.

Botev specified that he had received promises from the leaders of the other political forces but a meeting was not held with any of them.

"Peevski has not set conditions. He said that he simply relies on me for the Federation's correct management and for the resources to be distributed in the right hands. He will help the Federation in any way. The sum is a grant. This is a donation on his part, so we will not be returning this sum in the future," Botev explained.

"All the debts we currently have are guaranteed by Mr. Peevski. (...) In this way we remain alive, and the life of this federation will continue to develop. (...) Before taking office, I knew that the debts were around BGN 500,000, but the sum has increased to some BGN 1 million, and many people who heard that got scared and pulled back," Botev said.

He went on to say that he talked with Peevski late last week. Peevski assured him that he would not allow the BWF to perish. "After our talks yesterday [Wednesday], it became clear on his part that things will be fixed. We have already taken action [to determine] which debts will be returned first. A sum of BGN 100,000 has to be paid by Friday. In February, we will continue the remaining payments to lenders. We have already made a plan with them for the repayment, the longest being 24 months," Botev told the news conference.

Weightlifters should be calm and start preparing, because the first big competition - the European Weightlifting Championships in Chisinau - is in April. Bulgaria has a big chance at medals there, he added.

Botev said that the BWF has applied to the Ministry of Youth and Sport with a budgetary framework of some BGN 2 million for 2025, but even if the sum is smaller, the BWF will manage.

BWF Secretary General Marin Milashki specified that the headquarters have the resources to last until the money for 2025 is received, which will happen after the National Assembly adopts this year's state budget.

The BWF President said that he will hold responsible the people who have brought Bulgarian weightlifting to the edge of bankruptcy.