The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation supports the large-scale reform of the world calendar proposed by the International Federation (FIVB), which envisages world and continental championships being held during the winter months. This was announced by the President of the BFV, Lyubomir Ganev, who revealed that the managements of the Bulgarian club leagues have also expressed support for the changes.
The topic was raised during the press conference for the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Bulgarian and Greek volleyball communities, when Ganev was asked about the federation's position on the controversial reform, which caused serious opposition among leading European clubs.
"Our federation, and I personally, approve of this proposal," Ganev stated, emphasizing that the changes should be viewed in the context of the overall development of international volleyball.
According to the proposed model, the Volleyball Nations League will conclude at the end of June, after which players will receive a break in July. Club championships will start at the end of August, and there will be a break in December and January for world or continental championships.
The President of the BFV emphasized that the idea is not to increase the time during which volleyball players are engaged with national teams, but to distribute existing international competitions differently in the calendar.
One of the main arguments in support of the reform is the need for major national championships to receive better television visibility and greater interest from viewers and sponsors.
Ganev gave the example of the Olympic year 2028, when, if the current structure is maintained, the European Women's Championship would have to start just 13 days after the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
According to him, such proximity between two major competitions would significantly reduce media and commercial interest in the continental championship.
Another significant argument is the prolonged period during which national teams are practically absent from the international stage. After the end of major championships in September until the next matches in May, about seven months pass, during which attention is entirely focused on club volleyball.
This is an advantage for countries like Italy, Poland, Turkey, and Russia, which have strong club championships, but it puts countries with less developed domestic championships in a more unfavorable position.
However, Ganev admitted that clubs have serious reasons for concern.
The main problem, according to him, is related to the possible injuries of national team players during major championships in December and January.
Under the current calendar, clubs have several months to rehabilitate a volleyball player who has returned injured after their commitments with the national team. Under the new system, such an injury in the middle of the season could jeopardize their participation in the decisive playoffs in the spring.
Nevertheless, Ganev believes that the overall duration of the club season will be maintained and players will not be burdened with more international matches just because of the relocation of the championships.
The President of the BFV also confirmed the differing positions of two of the strongest volleyball nations in Europe.
Poland supports the proposed calendar, while Italy currently opposes the changes. According to Ganev, the Italian objections are also understandable due to the need to change an established organization of club competitions that has been functioning for decades.
He clarified that in recent months numerous meetings have been held with representatives of national federations and major championships, and some of the continental confederations have already discussed and voted on the proposal.
Ganev reminded that the FIVB unites 222 national federations and decisions must take into account the interests not only of the strongest club championships, but also of countries where national teams are the main driver of volleyball's popularity.
"A decision has not yet been finally made, the calendar has been proposed,"emphasized the President of the BFV.
He confirmed that talks are ongoing, but the position of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation and the managements of the Bulgarian club leagues is in support of the reform.
Thus, Bulgaria sides with the proponents of one of the most significant changes in the international volleyball calendar, which would affect the organization of club and national competitions worldwide.