Bulgaria
Postal address:
Sofia -1000 75, Vasil Levski Bul, Offis 532, Bulgaria
+00 359 898 77 66 85
Telephone:
E-mail:
Website:
2008
Year joined ICC Europe:
European Cricket League Representatives:
Indo Bulgarian (2022), Indo Bulgarian (2023), CC Akademik - Sofia (2024)
History of cricket
In the early stages of the 20th Century, English diplomats introduced the game of cricket into Bulgaria. After World War Two, the game was played in the American college in the centre of Southwest Bulgaria - Blagoevgrad. In the following decades of communist regime sports like cricket and baseball were considered a ‘capitalist entertainment’ and a ‘bad influence’, which therefore led to them being suspended.
The new history of Bulgarian cricket began in the 2002 with the official foundation of the Bulgarian Cricket Federation (BCF) with the efforts of a few enthusiastic sportsmen, captivated by the game. The Bulgarian Ministry of Sport recognized the BCF as one of its ‘new’ sports and was officially formed, the main aim was to develop the game throughout the country putting youth development as its main priority. The next year the first National Cricket Championship was held with the participation of four teams.
In June 2008 on its meeting, ICC granted Bulgaria with Affiliate status and new doors were opened for the development of cricket in the country.