The academic year was officially inaugurated with a ceremony for the first-year students.

On September 16, the National Sports Academy officially inaugurated the 2024/2025 academic year with ceremonies for its first-year students. The event was hosted by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Hristo Andonov.

Rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov, the academic leadership, and distinguished guests, including the Minister of Youth and Sports Georgi Glushkov, the Chairman of the National Student Council Angel Stoykov, and the Chairman of the NSA Student Council Ivan Penkov, delivered greetings. The Youth and Sports Committee of the 50th National Assembly honored the academic community with a congratulatory address, presented by Valentin Zayakov, an advisor to the committee.

In a special ceremony, the Academy honored the Olympic medalists and participants in Paris 2024—students and alumni of NSA. Olympic champions Semen Novikov (wrestling) and Carlos Nassar (weightlifting), as well as silver medalist Boryana Kaleyn (rhythmic gymnastics), were awarded the NSA honorary medal for their contributions to the Academy's prestige. The awards were presented by Rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov amidst enthusiastic applause from the audience and a video showcasing the emotional highlights of their successes, which brought glory to Bulgaria in Paris.

"As the Rector of the National Sports Academy, it is an exceptional honor and privilege for me to welcome you to our Alma Mater. Today's celebration is especially emotional because among us are students and alumni of the National Sports Academy who brought glory to Bulgaria at the Olympic Games in Paris. Their achievements have moved the world and filled our hearts with immense joy and national pride!" said Prof. Krasimir Petkov. He encouraged the first-year students to make the most of their time at the Academy, learning skills and gaining knowledge that will serve them throughout their lives.

Rector Petkov also awarded honorary plaques to the Olympic participants: Rachel Stoyanov (rhythmic gymnastics), Stanimira Petrova (boxing), Svetlana Staneva (boxing), Stefani Stoeva (badminton), Yuliyana Yaneva (wrestling), Stiliana Nikolova (rhythmic gymnastics), Bozhidar Saraboyukov (athletics), Petar Mitsin (swimming), Todor Mihalev (modern pentathlon), and Paralympian Stela Eneva (athletics).

Due to training commitments, Kiril Milov (wrestling), Yoana Ilieva (fencing), Gabriela Georgieva (swimming), Yosif Miladinov (swimming), Ivan Dimov (weightlifting), and Viktoriya Tomova (tennis) were unable to attend the ceremony.

Several Olympians are beginning their studies in the current academic year. As first-year students, Semen Novikov, Stiliana Nikolova, Bozhidar Saraboyukov, and Petar Mitsin received their student ID books.

In addition to them, other elite athletes have chosen NSA as their university. Among them are Radina Tomova (rhythmic gymnastics) – an absolute world and European champion with the national ensemble, Emma Neykova (fencing) – European saber champion, Vladimir Kochev (sports acrobatics) – European youth champion in pairs, Petya Karaivanova (chess) – one of Bulgaria's top chess talents, and volleyball players Alexander Nikolov, Tomislav Rusev, Kostadin Kozelov, and Konstantin Chipev, who recently placed second at the European Championship.

At the ceremony, the Rector, Prof. Krasimir Petkov, also presented awards for achievements of significant public importance. First-year students Svetoslav Dimitrov, who risked his life to help extinguish a large wildfire in the Sakar Mountains, and Hristiyan Filipov, who saved a human life in a difficult situation, were honored with plaques for their exceptional bravery and courage.

The first-year students with the highest admission scores in NSA's three faculties received their student ID books from the deans and vice-deans. In the first cohort of the Faculty of Sport, these were Margarita Buzdreva – "Swimming" (score 23.13) and Mihail Bistrichanov – "Karate" (score 23.11); in the second cohort: Viktoria Simeonova – "Conditioning Training" (score 23.70) and Daniel Halchev – "Football" (score 23.10). In the Faculty of Pedagogy, Kristina Fartcheva (score 23.72) and Gavrail Tsepenishev (score 23.04) were admitted with the highest scores, while in the Faculty of Public Health, Health Care, and Tourism, Gabriela Evtimova (score 30.00) and Pavel Nikolaev Dimitrov (score 29.51) achieved the top scores.

As is tradition, the Academy welcomed its students with a modernized sports facility and updated equipment. Therefore, on the first day of classes, the official opening of the renovated indoor athletics track, fully revamped through a joint project with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, took place. The event was hosted by Olympic triple jump champion Tereza Marinova, with the symbolic start given by Rector Prof. Krasimir Petkov. Minister of Youth and Sports Georgi Glushkov expressed his congratulations, highly praising the achievements: "I am pleased that we have completed yet another project in partnership. I would like to thank the leadership of the National Sports Academy 'Vasil Levski' for their efforts in modernizing the sports facilities and striving to provide the best possible conditions for their students. It is clear how much work has been done in recent years, and I am confident that you will not stop here but will be even more motivated to continue making outstanding progress," Minister Glushkov stated.

The completed renovations were presented by Prof. Nikolay Izov, the Rector under whose leadership the renovation began, and Valentin Dobrev, Director of Administrative and Economic Activities. The renovated indoor hall includes a 110-meter running track, a long jump and triple jump sector, and areas for discus throwing and shot put.

The academic leadership and official guests attended demonstrations of jumps and runs, organized by the "Athletics" Department, led by Assoc. Prof. Grigor Gutev.

The start of the academic year was also marked by the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming complete renovation of Dormitory Block 70, located on the campus.

Among the distinguished guests at the event were Deputy Ministers of Youth and Sports – Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Andonov and Pavlin Petrov, Deputy Minister of Tourism – Pavlin Petrov, Mayor of the Student District – Petko Goranov, Prof. Eliza Stefanova – Chair of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, Teodora Ivanova – Chair of the State Agency for Child Protection, Prof. Lachezar Dimitrov – Rector of NSA (2003-2012), Krasimir Dachev – Chair of the NSA Board of Trustees, Prof. Lilyana Valcheva – Chair of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (KNSB), Kiril Vatev and Dimitar Dilchev – members of the NSA Board of Trustees, Prof. Senya Terzieva – Rector of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (UCTM), Ivan Kolev – Chair of the Bulgarian Athletics Federation, and representatives of medical institutions that partner with NSA in the training of nursing students, among others.