Mr. Seferinov, your candidacy for Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) is as expected as it is unexpected. What are your motives for taking this step?

I have been involved in volleyball for 50 years, and this game is my passion, which has turned into a cause over the years. The reason for my candidacy is that when we sat down for changes 4 years ago, I was very hopeful that there would be some. 4 years later, the results are zero. One chairman was replaced by another, and some priority clubs by others. Ultimately, what should have happened for volleyball remained for the foreseeable future.

In 2019, you were at the same table with Lyubomir Ganev when you demanded a change to the 'Dancho Lazarov' model; now you are opponents. How would you win the votes of the delegates at the General Assembly?

I have been involved in volleyball for 50 years, and this game is my passion, which has turned into a cause over the years. The reason for my candidacy is that when we sat down for changes 4 years ago, I was very hopeful that there would be some. 4 years later, the results are zero. One chairman was replaced by another, and some priority clubs by others. Ultimately, what should have happened for volleyball remained for the foreseeable future.

You failed to provoke an earlier convocation of the Reporting and Election Assembly, as a result of which one of the main commissions, that for children and youth volleyball, is almost blocked after Evgeni Ivanov's resignation. What is your opinion on the work of the commissions in the BVF?

Not only is the children and youth volleyball commission blocked and not working. I would say that a large part of them perform representative functions without any effectiveness. The financial one exercises no control over the federation's revenues and expenditures.

Everyone criticized the conflict of interest in the Management Board, where there are also people who are on the federation's payroll. Should this change according to you?

This is absurd, as people who receive a salary from the federation defend its interests and their own place there, participating in the supreme body - the management board.

The composition of the Management Board was very bloated during the 'Lazarov' era, but even now it is not very effective. What is the optimal number of people in it and who should rightfully be a member?

Unfortunately, the number of members is determined by the BVF statute and the voting of the General Assembly. I agree that in both cases, the number of people is too many, and the effectiveness is too little. I have always advocated for a smaller number of members of the Management Board and the federation's structures to ensure better efficiency in their activities and work, as well as personal responsibility.

What would be the first thing you would change if you were elected to lead the most successful team sport in our country?

Every new election is connected with audit and control. Therefore, I will request an independent audit of the financial condition of the federation, and then – based on the general opinion of the clubs – I will propose changes in the commissions of the management board, changes in the structure of the BVF, and a financial board with a view to improving the financial condition.

According to some, your candidacy is a lost cause, as Lyubomir Ganev has many advantages over his opponents, in this case, you. Do you feel doomed in this race?

I believe I will be elected with the votes of the clubs. Just 2 months ago, 52 clubs stood behind the demand for changes, and that's nearly 50% of the community of registered clubs with the BVF. I have always been a fighter and have never undertaken anything that I was convinced I would not succeed in. Lyubo Ganev has his qualities, but I believe that in the battle for president, the decisive factor will be the election of the management board, because Bulgarian volleyball is actually governed not by the president, but by the management board, and it is most important that people with positions, ideas, and a desire for changes enter there.

Will you have enough time to convince the clubs that you are the person who will bring about change?

50 years of active presence in Bulgarian volleyball is enough time for the clubs to be convinced of my qualities and capabilities. Ultimately, they themselves determine and choose their future for the next 4 years. I will be president of all clubs, not just 2-3 privileged ones.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov