Strategic Documents for the Development of Sport in Bulgaria

Abstract

“Sport is a growing social and economic phenomenon with a significant contribution to the European Union's (EU) strategic objectives of solidarity and well-being.” This is stated in the White Paper on Sport, created by the European Commission in 2007. The year coincides with Bulgaria's accession as a member state of the Union, which marks a new stage for our country in the management of policies for the development of physical education, sport for excellence, social responsibility and public health, education, social inclusion, etc. In this period, as a result of significant changes in the development of institutions in the field of sport in Bulgaria, as well as changes brought about by external and internal factors, the system of physical education has fallen into a crisis, from which in the following years began to gradually emerge. The practice of sport among children, adolescents and adults is becoming increasingly restricted. Socially disadvantaged people rarely engage in physical activities, the performance of elite athletes in international events brings unsatisfactory results. All this comes as a regularity from the political, economic and social changes in society. This publication traces the institutionalization in the field of sport, which began as early as 1945, when the Department of Physical Culture and Sport was established under the Ministry of Public Health. It traces the development of sport institutions in Bulgaria over the years. It focuses on the period 2012 – 2023, the policy pursued and the strategic documents adopted in the field. Through a comparative analysis of the National Strategy for the Development of Physical Education and Sport in the Republic of Bulgaria 2012 – 2022 and the National Strategy for the Development of Physical Activity, Physical Education, Sport and Sports and Tourism 2023 – 2034, which has been publicly discussed, as well as accompanying documents, the main priorities, problems, objectives and their implementation are analysed.