site.btaSports Minister Meets with Argentina's Ambassador to Bulgaria

Youth and Sports Minister Georgi Glouchkov has met with Argentina's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Alejandro Zothner Meyer, to discuss future sports cooperation, Glouchkov’s Ministry said in a press release on Tuesday. The discussion primarily centred on organizing training seminars for coaches and sharing sports infrastructure.

Argentina’s Secretariat of Tourism, Environment and Sports has expressed interest in Bulgaria's expertise in weightlifting. Glouchkov showcased the training facilities available in Bulgaria, including the renowned Belmeken High Mountain Sports Complex and the National Sport Base Sport Palace in the Black Sea city of Varna, which feature top-notch rehabilitation centres.

"We are keen to collaborate in sports like basketball and volleyball, which are highly developed in Argentina," Glouchkov said. "I find the approach to training young athletes in your country fascinating."

The diplomat said he would support the drafting of a memorandum between the Bulgarian Ministry of Youth and Sports and Argentina's Secretariat of Tourism, Environment and Sports.

The readiness for cooperation is there, Argentina has a rich heritage in field hockey and rugby, Ambassador  Meyer said, adding that he had engaged in the latter.

Glouchkov and Meyer also reflected on the sporting histories of both nations, agreeing on the importance of inspiring youth through past achievements. Glouchkov recounted interactions with the late football icon Maradona, who supported his basketball team, JuveCaserta, during his time in Italy. Maradona, known for his love of basketball, once surprised the team by visiting their locker room and giving each of them a jersey bearing his name. Maradona used to participate in both basketball and football games with JuveCaserta.