Penev offers grassroots support in Bulgaria

National team coach Luboslav Penev was among the dignitaries present as the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) organised the latest in a series of grassroots events to reaffirm the association's commitment to the game.

More than 120 children from 18 schools, aged between seven and 13, were involved in various football and sports-based activities at the newly opened sports hall of Sofia's Vasil Levski National Sports Academy in December. Mini-football, dribbling skills and hockey were all enjoyed against a background of music hits, ensuring a buoyant atmosphere.

"I approve and applaud such initiatives," said Penev, who became national coach in November. "I hope that in the near future some of these children can develop into good players and that we have more choices for the national team. I also hope there are more events like this for youngsters."

Penev was joined in giving encouragement to the youngsters by his national team coaching assistants Radoslav Zdravkov and Yordan Yordanov, as well as UEFA Grassroots Panel member Willi Hink from Germany. All of the children that took part received prizes from event sponsors.

The event was the latest link-up between the BFS and the Cross Cultures Project Association (CCPA), whose Open Fun Football Schools (OFFS) programme operates in countries across the Balkan region and eastern Europe. Last summer, 37 Bulgarian coaches and physical education teachers participated in a series of seminars about the CCPA/OFFS project in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.