Over 340 participants broadcast the student prize winners of Sofia
Deputy Minister Stoyan Andonov honored the first champions of the tenth anniversary edition of the “Table Tennis Fest”. The tournament was initiated with a debut edition in 2016 at the suggestion of “Sofia – European Capital of Sport” with the assistance of the Bulgarian Table Tennis Federation. The event is once again hosted by the sports hall of the Private International School “St. George” on Vaptsarov Blvd.
“I am happy to see so many young table tennis fans and to congratulate you on the anniversary tournament. I wish you to maintain the enthusiasm with which you are competing for the awards today in this celebration of table tennis,” said Andonov, after presenting the organizers with a welcoming address from the Minister of Youth and Sports Ivan Peshev. Municipal Councilor Hristo Koparanov – member of the Management Board of the Sofia – European Capital of Sport Foundation – also addressed the participants and guests with a greeting, who congratulated the participants and highlighted the satisfaction with the partnership with the Bulgarian Table Tennis Federation. Among the award winners were also Stefan Kitov – Chairman of the Bulgarian Table Tennis Federation and member of the Executive Board of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Todor Stefanov – Chairman of the Levski Olympic Committee and Anatoli Iliev – Org. Secretary of Sofia – European Capital of Sport.
The first to step onto the symbolic ladder of honor were the medalists in the 5–7 grade group, in which representatives of 138 SU triumphed. In the girls’ category, the champion is Plamena Dimitrova from 138 SU, ahead of Radina Zaharieva from 107 OU, the bronze went to Radina Petrova from 138 SU and Hristina Petrova from 107 OU. In the boys’ category, the gold went to Alexander Petrov from 138 SU, second was Alexander Tsonev from SMG, and third place went to Boris Iliev from 23 SU and Alexander Tonchev from “St. Sofia” High School.
Traditionally, immediately before the opening ceremony of the tournament, a demonstration match between two of the Bulgarian talents in this sport took place. Now the performances of the SKTM CSKA Sofia players Georgi Stoyanov and Kalina Piperova were greeted with standing ovations in the hall.
The interest in the tournament is great among fans of the sport with the smallest ball, so far over 340 people have registered to participate. Later today, the medalists in the age groups 8-10 grades and 11-12 grades will be announced, a detailed ranking will be published on the BFTM website. The competitions are part of the priority of the Sofia – European Capital of Sport Foundation for the restoration and expansion of the city school championships of the capital as open championships.
