In an interview for BTA, the first chairperson of the newly established Advisory Board to the Bulgarian Tennis Federation (BTF), Vincent Campos, comments on the organization of the Sofia Open men’s tennis tournament, which will be held in the Bulgarian capital from November 4 to 11. In his words, this tournament marks the eight anniversary since the BTF first hosted such an event, and its organization in less than three weeks is a remarkable achievement.
The organizers of tennis tournaments usually have several months to prepare and take all the necessary steps ahead of the event’s start. In this case, the BTF had less than three weeks to make Sofia Open 2023 a reality, following ATP’s decision to add the tournament to the annual calendar in the place of the cancelled Tel Aviv Open 2023. Many observers have described this fast organization by the BTF as unprecedented, Campos notes, adding that he fully agrees with that description given all the challenges the BTF team faced in making Sofia Open 2023 happen on such a tight schedule. To a large extent, the tournament’s success will be the result of the joint efforts of ATP, the BTF, key Bulgarian state officials, and the managers of the venue hosting the event, Arena Sofia Hall, Campos says.
According to Campos, Sofia Open 2023 will put Bulgaria in the spotlight and will show that this country is an ideal destination for hosting international sports events, such as professional tennis. This positive image of Bulgaria will make Sofia very competitive for a chance to host such an event in 2024. The local economy will benefit from the rise in hotel bookings and the influx of Bulgarian and foreign guests. Also, local traders will have the opportunity to offer goods and services both to the players and their teams.
Asked about his role in helping the BTF for Sofia Open 2023, Campos tells BTA that as Advisory Board Chairman, he advises the BTF President and this team’s members on various matters, mainly in the area of strategic and tactical communications. He also helps improve the BTF team’s coordination and general efficiency.
Campos is a former US diplomat with many years of experience in Bulgaria. He worked as a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Sofia from 2009 to 2011. He has participated in many media, academic, and civil initiatives that have contributed to the further strengthening of the good bilateral relations. In August 2023, he joined the BTF Advisory Board, which is tasked with improving the BTF image in Bulgaria and abroad and encouraging the BTF’s engagement in support of the local community and the environment.
