Former Bulgarian national football player Krasimir Balakov is adamant that successful public figures in the country should inspire the younger generation with a good example.
On Sunday at 6:00 PM at the "Spartak" stadium in Varna, the stars of the unforgettable American summer in 1994 will be on the field again. The fourth-ranked team in the world will play against the veterans of North Macedonia in a charity match, the funds from which will be donated to the treatment of the victims of the tragic incident in a disco in the city of Kochani.
"The memories are good, because when we leave Sofia for Varna, we are all together. Almost all of us are together. The feeling of the previous years always swells and the memories are very good," he shared in an interview for the show "Arena Sport" on BNT.
According to him, it is important for public figures to be an example with their actions.
"We are also public figures. If we don't set an example, I don't know who should. These are things that in Bulgaria over time are starting to become traditions, which is good. This is a very good and positive example for everything else. It doesn't matter whether it's politics, football or another type of sport. When people have achieved something, they have to give something. We try, with our example, to infect as many people as possible," Balakov added.
The former national coach of Bulgaria hopes that he and the other stars of the team that glorified the country in 1994 to meet more often in the near future.
"So we make a plan every year and try to stick to this plan. We also know how many events we should do in principle. Things don't always happen, because an organization like this involves an extremely large number of people. Also, funds are spent so that we can achieve our goal. It is to have the necessary funds and help disadvantaged children and the increasingly aging golden generation of football players who have health problems," added Balakov.