The Sport Spirit of Topolovgrad Has Been Awakened

Tuesday, 06 April 2010

The experience sharing meeting held on March 22nd, 2010 in the hall of Chitalishte "St. St. Ciril and Methodius", Topolovgrad led the participants on the paths walked by the citizens in the last few months in an effort to improve the sports opportunities for children and students in Topolovgrad. The expressed "live" opinion and impressions of the initiative participants proved that the sport spirit of Topolovgrad has been awakened! The traditionally successful sports in the town were revived - not only children but their parents showed interest as well. What is more, the awakened civic awareness and sport spirit in children reminded to everybody the former sport achievements of the town. The children's smiles and enthusiasm have spread to everyone in town. The trainers of the sport formations mentioned that the children are eager to practice sports and even some of them have excellent sport skills and potential that should be developed. As a result of the initiative implementation:

• 273 children declared interest to participate in one of the five sport formations;
• over 120 citizens of Topolovgrad supported the civic initiative through participation in a voluntary cleaning action - 70 participants; voluntary labor of 7 trainers of the sport formations;
• Sports Day for Children and Students was carried out - to be held annually;
• sustainable structure for sport development in Topolovgrad - Public Council with 17 representatives of local authorities, NGO sector, business, media and citizens was established;
• effective partnership among 11 organizations was established.

Further, the initiatives of the other five partner Chitalishtes in the "Activating Communities through the Chitalishte Community Cultural Centers in Bulgaria" project were presented. These initiatives were seen as inspiring models by the 40 participants (Chitalishte representatives from the region and local authorities).

Later, at 5 pm the local community gathered for a closing project forum where public activity and financial reports of the local initiative was made by Mr. Trifon Lambov - Team Leader of the civic initiative "Provide Me with Sports Opportunities" and Chairman of Chitalishte "St. St. Ciril and Methodius". The efforts of participants in the closing forum were focused on identification of future actions for enhancement or continuation of the initiative, its sustainability or selection of new activities.

Ms. Emilia Lissichkova, Chairperson of AGORA Platform awarded the Chitalishte Chairman, Mr. Lambov with Certificate for Civic Initiative on behalf of AGORA, wishing him to realize many useful community initiatives in the future.

Encouraged by the presented initiatives during the experience sharing meeting, earlier in the day, the citizens proposed a Tourist Information Center to be created in Topolovgrad following the example of Momchilovci village. Mr. Radko Djondjorov, Deputy-Mayor turned out to be one of the idea's supporters. It was stated that the most important step has already been made with the approval of Program for Tourism Development in Topolovgrad Municipality providing real opportunities for development of cultural tourism, marking of tourist trails, etc.

The next speaker - Mr. Ilko Karaichev, Chairperson of the Sports Public Council suggested joint sport initiatives with neighboring municipalities to be organized and carried out in an effort to combine the resources of the region. Further proposal was made from the audience to research and involve all former local sportsmen who would like to participate and coach on the basis of their experience and skills the development of sport potential of the local children. Thus, the local community formulated two directions in which the Chitalishte will assist and develop community beneficial activities:

• organize and carry out joint sport initiatives with neighboring municipalities and propose to Topolovgrad municipality a Sport celebration for children and students on June 01st, 2010 ;
• create a Tourist Information Center in Topolovgrad.

Last but not least, during the final forum was decided forums to be held regularly (every 3 months) and if meanwhile a critical issue arises to be addressed on an extra forum.