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 thing I know is that Semen Novikov has written it down in some bonuses given by the ministry. He was not on the federation's payroll. I have offered him the position of national coach, because I see that he understands the subject. 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 as to why he is not a good 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. The fact that there is a shortage of wrestlers and we have no competition in all categories is a completely different matter. Work must start 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“. Currently, 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 can they refuse me? I've been giving money for wrestling since the 90s. The main wrestlers who win medals are with me. One thing these people can't understand: when you don't have a performance, 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 the time of Oresharski - Lazarov, he is responsible for wrestling in Levski. He clearly doesn't understand how it is distributed, what this money is done with and where it comes from. He sent people, they are investigating, let them investigate, there's no way you can steal something when it's not there.
Do you expect a change with the upcoming general meeting? Will Hristo Marinov run for president of the federation again?
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 about 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 Hristo will be there. I have made a program for the next 4 years, I will invest 4 million leva outside of the money for the federation. They will read it at the meeting. If they accept it - they will 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, fighting is my life. As long as I can breathe and have the opportunity, I'll help her.
Don't I miss football now?
No. I even sleep peacefully now. I'm a little angry with my team for being 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 for the young.