International basketball mourns the passing of FIBA Hall of Famer Valentin Lazarov
MIES (Switzerland) - International basketball is mourning the passing of FIBA Hall of Famer Valentin Lazarov.
MIES (Switzerland) - International basketball is mourning the passing of FIBA Hall of Famer Valentin Lazarov.
Born in 1931 Lazarov was one of the most influential figures in the world of basketball officiating and Bulgarian basketball. He refereed more than 440 games for FIBA in both men's and women's competitions, from 1958 to 1983, including multiple FIBA Basketball World Cups and numerous FIBA EuroBasket, FIBA AfroBasket, FIBA Asia Cup tournaments, as well as Europe's most prestigious club competitions.
He participated in the Olympic Games 10 times over the course of his career.
Lazarov also served as a Commissioner between 1983-2007. Since 1980, he was a FIBA International Instructor and conducted 336 FIBA and other international clinics for referees, commissioners and instructors in 116 countries.
He was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2013.
He was an Official FIBA Interpreter of the Rules from 1992-2005, and authored two books and more than 20 articles in various sports magazines on basketball officiating, as well as manuals for commissioners, manuals for national instructors and other material.
In 1962, Lazarov was named the best referee in Europe and was also awarded the FIBA Honorary Referee title in 1976.
"We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Valentin Lazarov," FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel expressed his condolences.
"Valentin will be remembered as a dedicated servant of European basketball, in particular from his capacity as a FIBA Referee, Commissioner and member of the Technical Commission for several decades. It is people like Valentin who help build a reputation for our sport and he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."
Georgi Glushkov, the President of the Bulgarian Basketball Federation, also paid his respects to one of Bulgaria's most notable basketball figures.
"He was an institution not only in Bulgarian basketball, but also worldwide. His contribution to Bulgarian officiating is priceless. The whole Bulgarian basketball society is mourning the enormous loss of this great person," he said in a statement.
FIBA