I don't see what this aggression should be about. They decided that there is a lot of money in the federation, and there is no money there. And because of that - money. Constant money, money, money. I don't think the federation is being managed badly. There will be a general meeting on March 10, who wants to run - to give orders. If there is someone with fresh ideas, with better ideas, it would be good to elect him. This is what Grisha Ganchev said in an interview for the program “Arena Sport“ on BNT.
Is Soslan Farniev becoming the biggest problem of Bulgarian wrestling?
This man is an exceptional professional and a very good specialist. He has not received a penny from the wrestling federation so far. The only one, as far as I know, is that Semen Novikov has written it in some bonuses given by the ministry. He was not on the federation's payroll. I have offered him to become a national selector, because I see that he understands the matter. His philosophy of wrestling differs from the philosophy of our specialists. Whether he is Russian, African, American... it doesn't matter if the cat is black or white, the point is to catch mice. The claims, as far as I understand, are from Simeon Shterev why he is not a complex freestyle wrestling coach. But how can they expel the current coach from the federation, who wins medals every year, made an Olympic champion, everything is fine with him. He is a good coach. That there is a shortage of wrestlers and we have no competition in all categories is a completely different matter. We need to start working from the lowest levels. Georgi Markov's claims were not clear to me. They have been in opposition for years, which is not bad. Some people live in times when “The Party feeds, we fight“. Right now, taxpayers feed and we have to fight. Every penny from the federation is counted, the money is not enough.
Does this attack make you think, is it worth doing it?
They can't refuse me from wrestling, how will they refuse me? I've been giving money for wrestling since 1990. The main wrestlers who win medals are with me. One thing these people can't understand: when you don't perform, yes, the state gives some money, but when you don't have medals from European and world championships, the budget, which is 3 million, will become 800,000. Then let me ask them what they will do. The former secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs during Oresharski's time - Lazarov, he is responsible for wrestling in Levski. Apparently, he is not aware of how it is distributed, what this money is done and where it comes from. He sent people, they are investigating, let them investigate, you can't steal something when it's not there.
Do you expect a change with the upcoming general meeting? Will Hristo Marinov run again for president of the federation?
Of course I will support him. First, he was my competitor, second, he is an honest guy. Third - he is dialogical. He does not take a salary from the federation. As far as I understand for the people who work in the federation, the funds are 50,000 leva per year. How do you imagine a federation getting by with 50,000 leva? The question is not whether it will be Hristo. I have made a program for the next 4 years, I will invest 4 million leva outside the money for the federation. They will read it at the meeting. If they accept it - they accept it. If not - no problem. I'll take care of my club and that's it.
Don't you want to head the federation?
I'm a retired man, I have a dog, horses, a kitten. But, the fight is my life. As long as I can breathe and I have the opportunity, I'll help her.
Don't you miss football now?
No. I even sleep peacefully now. I'm a little angry with my team that it's behind in the standings, but it will get back up.
How do you view the things that are happening to the “Bulgarian Army“? Aren't you sad that I'm not part of all that's happening?
I'm part, I'm a fan. CSKA is the biggest club in Bulgaria, how can we be mistaken? The stadium is being built, everything is in order. And a team will be made, there's money. We just need to start fighting a little more often, but that will happen.
Do you often watch matches?
I watched the match with Razgrad. I go to fights, last year I went to almost all the championships - young, old, adults. It's too bad that we don't have medals in the young ones.